SMA Welcomes Kirk Clifton, AICP, as Private Client Community Manager

January 25th, 2022

Souder, Miller & Associates is proud to welcome Kirk Clifton, AICP, to the team as the Private Client Community Manager. Mr. Clifton is an experienced Land Use Planner who brings with him over 25 years of experience in multiple areas of practice, including land use planning, entitlement acquisition, private sector real estate development, project/program management, government affairs, construction, energy, and business operations.

“I anticipate Mr. Clifton to be an instant asset for our clients and our team,” said Karl E. Tonander, CEO of SMA. “He has been on all sides of the development industry and can provide a qualified perspective of how best to complete projects for our clients. His more recent work with electric utilities will also fit very well with the needs of our renewable clients as the Mountain West region continues to develop its natural resources.”

Mr. Clifton has spent over 12 years with the City of Las Cruces serving as the Chief Development Administrator overseeing entitlements and subdivision development in both the City and rural areas of Doña Ana County. Additionally, he oversaw the Metropolitan Planning Organization – Transportation Planning Department, worked with permitting, and was involved in Comprehensive Planning and Ordinance creation. After his tenure in local government, Mr. Clifton joined the private sector and managed the development operation for one of the largest real estate developers in New Mexico at the time.

Mr. Clifton spent the last decade working in the electric utility industry in such areas as land management, ROW and easement acquisition, transmission, renewable energy, and corporate management/development.

“My career has been client centric for many years and it is a sincere pleasure to begin the next chapter with Souder, Miller & Associates; a company who values community, relationships, quality, innovation, and ethics. I look forward to helping our clients and communities find success, and to assisting SMA to grow as a company.”