Mark was raised in the Farmington and Centerville area of Utah, where his family owned and operated Smoot Dairy—a 300-cow Jersey dairy run by his grandfather, father, and extended family. From a young age, he learned the value of hard work while feeding calves, baling hay, moving irrigation pipe, hauling alfalfa, and showing cattle throughout the western United States.

When Mark was a teenager, changes in the industry and growing development along the Wasatch Front led to the relocation of the family dairy operation. While the cows were moved to Idaho, his family’s agricultural legacy continued through extended family members who still operate large dairy and ranching operations in Box Elder County and Northern Nevada.

In 2012, Mark partnered with his son Nathan to launch Epic Recreation in Garden City. What began as a single opportunity has grown into a group of businesses that serve the Bear Lake region, including Epic Recreation, Sunrise Resort and Event Center, Epic Getaways and Retreats, and Beaver Creek Lodge in Logan Canyon.

Together, these businesses focus on creating meaningful, safe, and memorable experiences for families, companies, and visitors. Today, their operations provide year-round employment for a dedicated local team and contribute to the region’s economy.

Mark has reinvested much of his own resources into building these businesses with a focus on creating opportunity—helping others develop careers, gain experience, and build a life in the Bear Lake Valley.

Mark has dedicated significant time and energy to serving his community and the state of Utah through a wide range of leadership roles:

– Executive Director of the Bear Lake Valley Chamber of Commerce
– Board member of the Utah Tourism Industry Association
– Active participant in the Utah Legislature’s Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Caucus
– Advisory board member for the Utah Trails Forum and Utah Outdoor Adventure Commission
– Member of the Board of Trustees for Bridgerland Technical College
– Founder of the Bear Lake Kids Club
– Founder of the Bear Lake Trails Foundation
– Member of the Rich County Trails Committee

Mark transitioned from public accounting into the energy sector, where he served as a controller for a company involved in the purchase, transportation, and sale of crude oil and natural gas. Alongside his partners, he helped grow a startup into a successful regional energy business that was ultimately sold to BP in 2007.

Following the acquisition, Mark worked for BP, leading their Western U.S. natural gas trading operations. He retired from the energy industry in 2012 after a successful career.

During high school Mark lived in Kentucky.  There, he gained an appreciation for other forms of agriculture, including horse farms and tobacco operations.

Mark attended Brigham Young University, served a two-year mission in Switzerland speaking French, and completed his education at Utah State University, earning a degree in Accounting and a Master’s in Business.

While in college, Mark married his wife, Christine, from Logan, Utah. They raised 5 children together in Davis County and are blessed with 15 beautiful grandchildren. He volunteered as a baseball coach at Davis High for 7 years.   His personal hobbies are focused on sports, coaching, the outdoors and responsible recreation, and finding ways to give back to his family and community.

Mark’s early professional experience included working at E.A. Miller in Hyrum, Utah, handling accounting for cattle forward purchasing and a large feedlot in southern Idaho. As a Certified Public Accountant, performing audits for nonprofit organizations, government entities, and public companies.

Mark has been connected to Bear Lake his entire life as a visitor and second homeowner, and he and his family made Garden City their full-time home six years ago. For the past 14 years, his businesses and service efforts have been focused on strengthening the local economy and preserving the quality of life in the region.

Mark has built strong working relationships with local leaders, state agencies, and legislators. He understands how to navigate partnerships and secure resources to benefit rural communities.

He is committed to responsible growth, protecting natural resources, supporting local businesses, and ensuring that future generations have the same opportunities to live, work, and thrive in Rich County.