About the Founders

---

Clifford Smith is one of the founders of RE 1 Wilderness Management. He is also a managing partner of Appalachian Renewal Project (ARP). Clifford was raised in a coal mining region of western Pennsylvania as it faced the decline of the coal and steel industries and overtime, was reborn. He formed ARP out of an interest to drive sustainable development in the areas of Appalachia that are now experiencing the collapse of the coal industry. Clifford was previously the Director of International Equities for The Boston Company Asset Management, where he helped build and manage $35 billion in assets. Earlier in his career, he worked in engineering roles for General Electric and the U.S. Department of Energy. He holds engineering degrees from the Pennsylvania State University and Princeton University, and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University. 

Clifford “Chip” Olson is one of the founders of RE 1 Wilderness Management. He is also the CEO and owner of RE 1 Advisor. He is originally from Wisconsin and at the age of 24 moved to Naples, FL where he has been for the past 36 years. Chip helps manage Olson family farm, which has been in his family for 120 years, and Homark farm in Iowa, which practices sustainable farming to increase carbon collection. He has managed marinas in the past, and currently manages, Brookside Marina, where he helped restore mangroves around the area. Chip has started and developed multiple Real Estate developments and has consulted on Real Estate business and holdings for over 30+ years. Olson is a leader and veteran in the southeast United States Real Estate industry.