Wounded Tri-Cities veteran to bring his leadership know-how to real estate firm

A Pasco native and West Point grad blinded by a suicide bomber in Iraq has joined a Tri-Cities real estate firm as a development coordinator and leadership coach.

Scotty Smiley will work with Dave Retter to develop the leadership and personal growth of agents at Retter and Company, the company announced.

He also will help with land development projects, working closely with developers and builders.

Smiley has shared his story of resilience with Fortune 500 companies, political leaders, national nonprofits, college students and the U.S. Men’s Olympic basketball team.

He also wrote a book, Hope Unseen, after retiring from the service about being the Army’s first blind active-duty officer. He went on to teach at the United States Military Academy at West Point and Gonzaga University and worked as an investment banker.

“Scotty not only had to learn how to live again, he also had to learn to lead,” said the Retter company in its recent announcement.

The avid adventurer has competed in Ironman triathlons, climbed Mt. Rainier, gone skydiving and surfing and is always looking to try something new, said the release.

He and his wife, Tiffany, who is a Republican candidate for Congress to unseat Sen. Patty Murray, have three sons.

Retter & Company was started in October 1992 by Dave Retter and has residential and commercial real estate divisions, as well as property management.