Now retired, William Marks’ role supporting EM made an impact

When William Marks first arrived in Eagle Mountain, he was simply looking for a place to live and work. What he found instead was a community that would become an integral part of his life and career.

As the Community Development Regional Manager for the Western U.S. at META, Marks has played a quiet role in facilitating major community grant support.

Starting with META in November 2018 in their Washington, D.C. offices, Marks took on the Community Development Manager role and had the freedom to choose where he wanted to live as he took on a new role.

Initially drawn to the idea of staying on the East Coast, he explored other possibilities, including New Mexico and Oregon. Eventually, he found himself in Utah.

 “I flew to Utah for the first time, and it was off-the-charts incredible,” said Marks. “The mountains, the beauty—it just felt right.”

Marks already had a moving truck enroute to Seattle. He made a phone call to change the destination to Utah. What began as a spur-of-the-moment professional decision quickly became a personal connection to the area.

In his role at META, Marks oversaw the allocation of grants that funded various community-related projects in Eagle Mountain.

Funding support for projects ranged from classroom upgrades to sustainability initiatives, all aimed at improving the quality of life for residents.

“A lot of people see the work we do in the classrooms, but we’re also focused on things like restoring water to the watershed. It’s about making a difference where it counts,” Marks said.

What set Marks apart was his hands-on approach. He didn’t just distribute funds and move on; he stayed involved, checking in with grant recipients regularly to ensure they were getting the support they needed.

“I tried to call them every week, just to see how they’re doing. We want to be a partner with the community, not just be a distant supporter,” he said.

Marks says he’s territorial over Eagle Mountain, and was quick to credit the community.

“Eagle Mountain has grown so much since I first got here. It’s not just about the businesses that have popped up but the people behind them,” he said.

His admiration for small business owners is evident, and he speaks with fondness, specifically, about the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce’s growth.

Now, as he prepares to retire and move to Texas, Marks is shifting his focus to family. Having recently married, he’s looking forward to spending more time at home.

“I’ve spent years working on large-scale projects, but now I’m ready to focus on something more personal—my family,” he says.

Before leaving, Marks offers a simple piece of advice.

“Wherever you go, try to leave things a little better than you found them.”

It’s a reflection of the approach he took during his time in Eagle Mountain—making small, meaningful improvements that add up over time.