Harold Smethills grew up around ranching before beginning his business career in banking, finance and investments. From executive positions at United Banks of Colorado, Smethills became executive vice president and chief financial officer of the Adolph Coors Company while also serving on its board. He led the development and implementation of a major restructuring program to spin off Coors' non-brewing businesses into a new Fortune 500 Company, ACX Technologies, of which he became co-president with Jeff and Joe Coors. Smethills subsequently formed his own investment management company managing a privately held real estate portfolio. He was recruited as CEO at American Stock Exchange, a New York Stock Exchange listed company, and later served as CEO of Menasha Corporation, a large, privately held manufacturing business. In 2004, he returned to his native Colorado to pursue development of Sterling Ranch, a 3,400-acre, master-planned community in Northwest Douglas County. As chairman and founder, Smethills oversees all aspects of Sterling Ranch.

Smethills earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Denver, as well as his MBA and juris doctor degrees. He is a retired Colonel from the Colorado Air National Guard and received the Legion of Merit among other awards for his service.

Smethills is a trustee on the Denver Botanic Gardens board of directors and chairs the Sustainability Committee. He serves on the Board of Regents of Pepperdine University and as chair of the investment committee. He and his wife Diane are also involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research.