Who We Are
Raised in Bountiful, Utah and now living in Kaysville with his wife, Madie, and their dog, Ben, Jackson brings both deep local roots and clear directional leadership to Westland. His time serving an LDS mission in Omaha, Nebraska played a formative role in developing his communication skills, work ethic, and his ability to connect with people from all backgrounds. Those skills directly inform how he works with landowners, municipal leaders, and industry partners today.
Jackson’s background spans both marketing and real estate, giving him a unique blend of vision and practicality. He understands not only how to plan and develop land, but how to communicate its long-term value and build trust throughout a project’s lifecycle. Before founding Westland, he led strategic marketing efforts and client communication systems—experience that now shapes the company’s approach to collaboration, alignment, and public engagement.
As a founding member of Westland, Jackson leads Creative Direction, Client Management, and Architecture & Engineering Coordination. He is also responsible for Project Sourcing and Acquisitions, identifying opportunities and guiding them from early concept into actionable development plans. Jackson’s focus is to ensure every project is grounded in a strong vision, supported by clear communication, and structured for lasting value and progress.
Jackson Smith - Co-Founder
Raised in Layton, Utah and now living in Kaysville with his wife, Grace, Gardner brings grounded experience and thoughtful leadership to Westland. His upbringing as a competitive athlete helped shape his resilience, work ethic, and confidence in high-pressure environments. These traits directly influence how he builds relationships, negotiates, and guides projects forward.
Gardner’s strong background in custom home construction gives him a practical, hands-on understanding of what it takes to bring a project from concept to completion. He has worked closely with builders, subcontractors, and property owners, which allows him to communicate effectively across all sides of a development. His experience in fast-moving real estate markets also enables him to recognize value, anticipate challenges, and make informed strategic decisions.
As Westland’s City and County Liaison, Gardner manages municipal relationships and leads the entitlement efforts necessary to move projects through planning, zoning, and approval stages. He is skilled at navigating political dynamics, understanding community priorities, and finding the path that aligns both private and public interests. His additional responsibilities include Builder Relationships, Market Research, and Entitlement Management, ensuring each project maintains momentum, clarity, and long-term viability.
