Visionary Homes is entering a new chapter with a planned leadership transition that aims to support the company’s long-term growth. The Utah-based homebuilder has appointed Ryan Smith as its next Chief Executive Officer, while co-founder Jeff Jackson will step into the role of Chairman of the Board in 2027. The company said the move is part of a carefully planned succession strategy that will ensure continuity while preparing for future expansion.
Ryan Smith to Become CEO in September
Visionary Homes announced that Ryan Smith will officially become Chief Executive Officer on September 1, 2026. Smith joined the company on June 15, 2026, and is working closely with current CEO Jeff Jackson during the transition period.
Jackson, who co-founded Visionary Homes in 2004, will continue serving the company full-time through the end of 2026. Beginning January 1, 2027, he will take on the role of Chairman of the Board. In that position, he will focus on long-term strategy, governance, and preserving the company’s values and culture. Visionary Homes said the transition follows a multi-year succession plan designed to support the company’s continued growth.
Ryan Smith Brings More Than 20 Years of Industry Experience
Smith joins Visionary Homes with more than two decades of experience in production homebuilding and master-planned communities across the Mountain West and Southwest regions of the United States.
Before joining Visionary Homes, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Oakwood Homes, a Clayton Homes company. According to Visionary Homes, Smith led a four-market homebuilding business valued at approximately $442 million. The company also said that under his leadership, the business increased sales and housing starts by 41% in 2025 while the markets it served experienced a decline.
Earlier in his career, Smith held leadership positions at Beazer Homes and Shea Homes. He also managed Oakwood Homes’ Utah and Arizona division. Smith earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business.
Leadership Focused on a Smooth Transition
Ryan Smith said he is honored to join Visionary Homes and described the company as one that has built a strong reputation for quality, trust, and customer service. He said he looks forward to building on the foundation created by Jeff Jackson and the leadership team while helping more families achieve homeownership.
Jeff Jackson welcomed Smith to the company and said his leadership experience, operational expertise, and values make him the right person to lead Visionary Homes into its next phase. Jackson also said the leadership transition has been planned carefully to ensure stability for employees, customers, and business partners.
Visionary Homes Continues Its Growth Plans
Visionary Homes is one of Utah’s largest privately held homebuilders. The company builds homes and communities across Utah and operates in partnership with Misawa Homes America, the U.S. subsidiary of Japan’s Misawa Homes Co., Ltd.
The company said it remains focused on its long-term goal of building 2,000 homes annually while expanding into neighboring markets. Visionary Homes also said its commitment to customers, employees, trade partners, and local communities will remain unchanged throughout the leadership transition.
What Comes Next
The appointment of Ryan Smith marks an important milestone for Visionary Homes as the company prepares for its next stage of growth. With a planned leadership transition already underway and Jeff Jackson remaining actively involved through the end of the year before becoming Chairman in 2027, Visionary Homes said it is positioned to continue executing its long-term strategy while maintaining the culture and values established since its founding.
