Faculty Profile: W. Duane Horton

As the President & CEO of Scenic Land Company, I lead a vertically integrated real estate development, design, finance, construction, marketing, sales, and operations team consisting of in-house team members and strategic partners. We specialize in working with large scale properties inherently desirable due to land features and location but facing significant challenges due to limited access, infrastructure, zoning, entitlements, and other issues preventing the highest and best use of the property to be unlocked.

My professional path has given me the opportunity to experience and advance each of the aspects of this vertical integration in addition to overcoming tremendous legal obstacles. I have a passion to serve by creating value through critical thinking skills, planning, execution, and leadership through care and authenticity.

Most recent accomplishments include the acquisition, branding, master planning, design, financing, construction of the McLemore Resort & Community consisting of the CLOUDLAND a Curio Collection Resort by Hilton, residential homesites, one 18-hole course, one short course, and a second 18-hole course under construction (The Keep). The resort and community also enjoys a number of other amenities on and off site as well as the planning of more to come.

The CLOUDLAND was financed through the use of tax-exempt bonds with a successful raise of over $800 million in orders for a $188 million project. Over 30 institutional investors participated in the offering as well as a number of local investors.