About Us
Scott Richardson, President
Scott Richardson Appointed as President of White Sands Energy, a Pioneering Energy and Sports Integrated Destination Resort Facility Developer
Alpine, Utah – 12 July 2023
White Sands, LLC is delighted to announce the appointment of Scott Richardson as President of the company. With his extensive experience in the construction industry and passion for transforming local economies and communities, Richardson is poised to lead White Sands in its mission to create cutting-edge energy and sports integrated destination resort facilities.
Richardson's journey in the construction industry began in 2001 when he obtained his general contractor license in Oregon. Since then, he has been deeply involved in the design, budgeting, ongoing management, and risk management of a wide range of institutional, commercial, and residential facilities, including hospitals, courthouses, and historic renovations. His exceptional ability to coordinate subcontractors throughout all phases of construction projects has resulted in successful ventures totaling over $1 billion in value, with budgets exceeding $420 million per year.
Prior to joining White Sands, Richardson served in a leadership capacity at MiTek, a renowned Berkshire Hathaway Company. During his tenure, he oversaw the development of master budgets, conducted comprehensive cost estimations, performed meticulous materials take-offs, and formulated project timelines. Richardson's invaluable expertise played a pivotal role in supporting ten of the largest builders in the United States, spanning thousands of building projects worth billions of dollars.
As President of White Sands, Richardson will harness his wealth of knowledge and strategic vision to propel the company's mission forward. White Sands is at the forefront of revolutionizing the concept of destination resorts, integrating renewable energy solutions and sports facilities into their projects. By leveraging these innovations, White Sands aims to not only create exceptional recreational experiences but also generate sustainable economic growth for the communities they serve.
Richardson's steadfast commitment to excellence, combined with his ability to foster collaborative partnerships, make him the ideal leader for White Sands. His dedication to delivering exceptional results, coupled with his deep understanding of the construction industry, ensures that White Sands will continue to be a trailblazer in its field.
"I am honored to assume the role of President at White Sands, LLC," said Scott Richardson. "I am excited to work with the talented teams at White Sands and our partners to further our shared mission of creating remarkable energy and sports integrated destination resort facilities. Together, we will make a lasting impact on local economies and communities, while providing unparalleled experiences for visitors."
With Scott Richardson at the helm, White Sands, LLC is poised to usher in a new era of transformative destination resorts. The company remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community development, and is confident in the positive impact it will continue to make under Richardson's leadership.
About White Sands, LLC:
White Sands, LLC is a pioneering energy and sports integrated destination resort facility developer headquartered in Alpine, Utah. With a strong focus on sustainable practices and community development, White Sands combines innovative design, cutting-edge technology, and world-class sporting amenities to create unforgettable experiences for visitors while catalyzing local economic growth.
Kris D Heslop, CFO
Kris Heslop Appointed as CFO of White Sands Energy
With over 23 years in banking, he managed loan teams (2001–2009) overseeing portfolios exceeding $150 million (net of participations), adhering to bank risk protocols for individual loans over $4 million and relationships exceeding $10 million. He personally handled client relationships with combined loans surpassing $40 million, specializing in construction lending for land acquisition and development, residential, and commercial construction. His clients ranged from seasoned developers with 20+ years of experience to novices, typically managing 8–13 active projects simultaneously.
One of his most significant projects included Stage One of a 1,600+ acre commercial land acquisition and development in California’s Central Valley (2005–2009), with an overall stage budget exceeding $80 million (net of land costs), structured in ~$20 million phases. The land, held for over a decade, had an estimated value exceeding $16 million at the time. He guided the client through entitlements and infrastructure development, though no vertical construction was undertaken.
From 2001 to 2004, he led bankwide Business and Enterprise Lending for USDB Bancorp (a $1 billion super-regional bank later merged into Bank of the West/BNP Paribas, now part of BMO Harris). His responsibilities included:
- Enterprise Lending: Oversight of consumer indirect lending (purchased loan portfolios), including exotic vehicles, aircraft, and pleasure craft.
- Business Lending: Construction/takeout lending and C&I lending, originating approximately 500 loans annually. During his tenure, he grew loan portfolios by 250% and reduced delinquencies from 300% above to 50% below the bank’s average.
His expertise encompassed preliminary project valuation, construction budget validation, progress inspections, disbursement management, and lien oversight. He also rehabilitated 30+ underperforming loans/relationships, resolving issues such as:
- Collateral deficiencies (unperfected security interests).
- Title defects (invalid legal descriptions, uncleared prior liens up to $15 million).
- Landlocked parcels.
Nonprofit Leadership
On a volunteer basis, he served as Regional Head of Finance for a 13-unit nonprofit with 8 facilities (60,000+ SF, debt-free), 3,500+ members, and annual receipts over $5.5 million. For six years, he managed budgets, training, and expenditures until relocating.