About Us

About Us

A Legacy of Integrity, Vision, and Community

Moab Premier Properties is built on four generations of real estate experience and a simple idea: do good work, tell the truth, and leave the land and community better than you found it.

Our Roots

What began as a shared vision between founders Tom Shellenberger and Janie Tuft has grown into a trusted name in development, management, and brokerage services throughout the region.

Tom launched his real estate career in Park City, playing a firsthand role in its evolution from a quiet mountain town into a thriving community. His experience navigating growth, planning, and long-term value laid the groundwork for the way Moab Premier approaches development today.

Janie, a Moab native, has devoted her life to real estate in this area. Her unmatched local knowledge, relationships, and steady presence have made her a go-to advisor for generations of buyers, sellers, and landowners.

Together, Tom and Janie built Moab Premier on:

  • Expertise earned through decades of practice
  • A strong ethical compass
  • A genuine, long-term commitment to clients and community

Bryon Walston’s Impact

Moab Premier entered its next chapter under the leadership of Bryon Walston, who guided the brokerage through some of the region’s most complex and influential transactions.

Bryon was known for:

  • Quietly brokering major land and development deals
  • Generosity with his time, resources, and experience
  • A calm, grounded leadership style rooted in faith and service

His passing from cancer was a profound personal and professional loss. For many, Bryon was more than a broker—he was a mentor, neighbor, and friend.

Today, his legacy continues under the stewardship of his son, Preston Walston. After walking through the loss of their father and mentor, Preston and his family remain deeply inspired by Bryon’s example: work hard, serve others, and treat people with integrity.

Moab Premier’s future is guided by the same values that shaped it from the beginning—faith, service, and a commitment to doing what’s right for clients and community.

What We Stand For

At Moab Premier, we believe in thoughtful growth—growth that strengthens the local economy while honoring Moab’s natural beauty and unique character.

Our work engages with:

  • Sustainable development
  • Affordable housing
  • Tourism and short-term rentals
  • Hotels, trailer parks, and workforce housing solutions

Instead of seeing these elements in conflict, we aim to align them into a balanced, healthy local economy that supports the people who live and work here.

Real estate is a team sport. Our collaborative approach has allowed us to structure and close some of the region’s most influential and complex transactions.

Landmark Projects & Preservation Work

Conservation
The Needles Outpost

Preserving a landscape, not just closing a sale.

The Needles Outpost is a modest, welcoming campground just outside Canyonlands National Park, operated by close friends with a deep love for the land.

When the property went to auction, it drew interest from large-scale developers whose plans would have dramatically altered the area.

Moab Premier represented a buyer whose vision aligned with conservation. After the sale, the parcel was deeded to The Nature Conservancy, ensuring long-term protection for future generations.

For us, it wasn’t just a transaction—it was a commitment to preserving the heart of Moab’s landscape.

Snapshot

  • Location: Just outside Canyonlands National Park
  • Use: Campground & trading post
  • Outcome: Land preserved through The Nature Conservancy
  • Focus: Responsible stewardship
Affordable Housing
Arroyo Crossing

Affordable housing with generational impact.

The concept for Arroyo Crossing emerged from a simple idea: remove one of the biggest barriers to affordable housing—land cost.

In 2017, the Moab Area Community Land Trust (MACLT) was formed and received a generous land donation dedicated exclusively to permanently affordable housing.

In 2019, MACLT secured $4.3 million in New Market Tax Credits to fund essential infrastructure for Phase 1, which includes 248 units and one community building.

The full master plan includes 300 homes and three community facilities, with new roadways improving connectivity between US-191 and Spanish Valley Drive.

By 2022, local families—many longtime workers in the community—began moving into homes they could finally afford to own. This project will shape Moab’s generational stability.

Snapshot

  • MACLT formed: 2017
  • $4.3M New Market Tax Credits (2019)
  • Phase 1: 248 units + community center
  • Full plan: 300 homes + 3 community facilities
  • Major roadway connectivity improvements

Supporting a Balanced Local Economy

Discussions about hotels, short-term rentals, and tourism are often polarized, but the truth is more nuanced. Thoughtfully planned lodging:

  • Provides year-round jobs
  • Generates funding for housing and community needs
  • Supports local businesses and recreation providers

Moab Premier has helped shape this balance through key transactions, including land that became the Wyndham timeshare property and the early groundwork for My Place Hotel.

Our goal is to support economic opportunity while respecting Moab’s long-term character and the people who call it home.

Enhancing the Visitor Experience

Resort Living
Sage Creek Condominiums

Moab Premier played an early role in brokering the land parcels that made the Sage Creek Condominium project possible.

Sage Creek features:

  • Luxury accommodations
  • An award-winning pool and amenities
  • Ample trailer parking for Jeep, UTV, and bike enthusiasts

It’s become a retreat where visitors unwind after long days exploring Moab’s red rock trails.

Overnight Rentals
Entrada at Moab

Moab Premier was instrumental in brokering the initial land acquisition for Entrada Luxury Townhomes, located within Moab’s overnight rental district.

Entrada offers:

  • 45 upscale townhomes
  • A premium, convenient base for visitors
  • A strong contribution to Moab’s lodging market

Entrada enhances the visitor experience while supporting the stability of Moab’s tourism economy.

Looking Ahead

Moab Premier Properties is more than a brokerage sign — it’s a family-guided effort grounded in:

  • High-level real estate expertise
  • Respect for the land and its stories
  • A commitment to seeing Moab’s people and economy thrive

From conservation parcels to affordable housing, from hotels to luxury condos, our role is to align vision, capital, and community in ways that create lasting value.

We’re honored to continue the legacy started by Tom and Janie, elevated by Bryon, and carried forward by Preston and a team deeply invested in Moab’s future.

MPP © 2022–2025 Moab Premier Properties. This page is a general overview and does not replace formal agreements.