In 2000, he had an idea to create “Valle Escondido,” a residential resort community in the mountain highlands of Panama that would appeal to those looking for an exotic yet “first world” lifestyle. The community he created is extraordinary by all measures. The location, weather, topography, and every other facet of this project was built with a “what if” scenario in mind.

What if there was no electricity? So he built his own hydroelectric plant. What if there were food shortages? So the community has its own gardens growing food. What if there was no water? So they have their own springs supplying 200,000 gallons a day of clear fresh water. All of these “what ifs” were considered along with many more.

Within Valle Escondido, Sam wanted a small hotel, golf course, spa, fitness center, restaurants, tennis, racquetball, swimming pools and country club. He had to have high-speed Internet, and cable and satellite TV with English channels. Also, not far away, he wanted a regional airport, private hospitals, shopping centers, grocery stores, car dealerships and all of the other things “first worlder’s” have become so accustomed to.

Today, the small village where the Valle Escondido residential community is located is known throughout the world as a retirement/tourist hot spot due to Sam’s marketing efforts and the success of the development.

It was rated the number one foreign retirement destination in the western hemisphere by AARP in 2002 and one of the top five best lifestyle values in the world by Fortune Magazine in 2005. The Valle Escondido Resort, Golf, and Spa, which opened in 2006 now offers 38 rooms and suites enabling travelers to experience his resort paradise if not for a lifetime then for at least a week or two.