Get to Know Us
At Divine Developments, we transform visionary concepts into exceptional realities through our unwavering commitment to detail, design excellence, and operational efficiency. Every project begins with a comprehensive understanding of its future impact, carefully aligning innovative site planning with the evolving needs of end users and the surrounding community.
Our approach integrates sophisticated design principles with practical feasibility, ensuring each development not only meets current market demands but anticipates future growth. By maintaining this delicate balance between aesthetic excellence and operational functionality, we create sustainable, forward-thinking developments that enhance both the built environment and the quality of life for those who experience our projects.
We pride ourselves on seeing beyond the immediate horizon, considering how each decision in the development process contributes to long-term value and community vitality. This strategic vision, combined with our meticulous attention to detail, enables us to consistently deliver projects that exceed expectations while maintaining strong returns on investment.
Meet the team behind
Divine Developments
SAMUEL SELLS
President
Samuel Sells is a distinguished real estate executive and military veteran who serves as President of Divine Developments, where he leads the company's innovative mixed-use development initiatives in Boerne, Texas. Combining his strategic business acumen with extensive global health expertise, Sells brings a unique perspective to development projects that emphasize both community impact and investment value.
In his role at Divine Developments, Sells oversees the company's flagship mixed-use project, integrating commercial, residential, and recreational elements in one of Texas's fastest-growing regions. His vision extends beyond traditional development through strategic partnerships with Dynamic Exploration and Blue Gold Exploration, where he helps pioneer breakthrough approaches to water resource discovery and development using AI-powered technology and advanced geological detection methods.
As founder and CEO of Wild Mountain Capital since 2018, Sells has established himself as a visionary leader in real estate investment and development. His company's mission transcends traditional real estate investment, focusing on transforming neglected properties into vibrant, affordable communities. Under his leadership, Wild Mountain Capital has successfully acquired, developed, and rehabilitated over 60 real estate projects, demonstrating his ability to generate exceptional returns while creating positive social impact.
In February 2024, Sells expanded his influence by founding Impact Growth Capital, a real estate investment firm dedicated to generating high returns while driving positive social change. The company specializes in revitalizing distressed housing in high-growth markets across the United States, leveraging his extensive background in construction, engineering, and military leadership to create resilient, well-governed communities.
Sells' approach to development and community transformation is deeply informed by his military career and educational background. As Director of Medical Plans and Strategy for the Air Force Special Operations Command from 2015 to 2018, he led Global Health Engagement initiatives across multiple continents. During this time, he designed and implemented sophisticated aeromedical training programs, collaborating with the State Department and various government agencies to establish sustainable medical capabilities worldwide.
His international experience includes serving as a Fellow with USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, where he coordinated critical responses to global health crises, including the Ebola outbreak in Liberia. As an Afghan National Police Medical Logistics Combat Advisor, he managed complex infrastructure projects and coordinated with the US Army Corps of Engineers to develop medical facilities across nine provinces, demonstrating his ability to execute large-scale projects in challenging environments.
Education and Academic Excellence: Sells holds a Master's Degree in Health Care Administration and Policy with a Global Health Emphasis from the Uniformed Services University, where he distinguished himself as Captain of the Global Health Competition Team. His graduate studies included 30 additional course credits in Global Health, providing him with comprehensive insight into global development challenges and solutions. His academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Strategy from Brigham Young University, where he developed the business acumen that would later drive his successful real estate ventures.
Earlier in his career, Sells served as Medical Readiness Officer, developing contingency response plans and coordinating with major federal agencies including the FBI, FEMA, and CDC. His experience also includes a role at Deloitte, where he distinguished himself by developing innovative solutions for disaster recovery and business continuity planning.
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Sells' unique combination of formal education in business strategy and healthcare administration, coupled with his extensive military leadership and international development experience, enables him to approach real estate development with a holistic perspective. His methodology integrates strategic planning, social impact, and financial performance, resulting in developments that benefit both investors and communities.
Under Sells' leadership, Divine Developments and its associated ventures continue to pioneer innovative approaches to real estate development and resource management. His vision for sustainable, community-focused development, supported by his diverse educational background and professional experience, positions him uniquely to address the complex challenges of modern real estate development while creating lasting value for all stakeholders.
EXPERTISE
Real Estate Services
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Real Estate Syndication - Residential & Commercial
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Property Management & Development
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Mixed-Use Land Development
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Residential & Commercial Construction
Digital Marketing
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Strategic Market Analysis
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Technology Integration
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Brand Development
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Marketing Analytics
CHARLES MAZINTER
Chief Executive Officer
Charles Mazinter serves as CEO of Divine Developments, Blue Gold Exploration, and Dynamic Exploration, where he leads innovative initiatives in land development and water resource discovery. A native Texan with deep roots in San Antonio and Boerne, he brings over two decades of real estate expertise to these ventures.
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As CEO of Divine Developments, Mazinter oversees strategic planning and execution of mixed-use development projects, leveraging his comprehensive background in real estate and construction. His leadership of Blue Gold Exploration and Dynamic Exploration focuses on pioneering breakthrough approaches to water resource detection and development, addressing critical infrastructure needs in high-growth regions.
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Since 2002, Mazinter has built an impressive portfolio across the real estate industry, including ownership of real estate brokerages, property management companies, and custom home building operations. His track record includes successful development of luxury residential properties, ranches, and raw land, with tens of millions in transaction value. This diverse experience enables him to approach development projects with a unique perspective, understanding both market dynamics and construction fundamentals.
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Mazinter's strategic vision combines local market expertise with innovative development approaches. His deep understanding of the San Antonio and Boerne markets, coupled with his experience in luxury real estate and land development, positions him uniquely to identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities. As a licensed Texas Real Estate Agent with the Phyllis Browning Company, he maintains active involvement in the market, ensuring current insights into regional growth trends.
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Known for his ability to deliver on commitments, Mazinter brings together dynamic negotiation skills, strategic marketing expertise, and strong business relationships to drive project success. His focus on exceptional execution and attention to detail ensures that development projects meet both market demands and investor expectations.
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Under his leadership, Divine Developments, Blue Gold Exploration, and Dynamic Exploration continue to pioneer innovative approaches to real estate development and resource management, creating lasting value for stakeholders while contributing to regional growth and sustainability.
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EXPERTISE
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Mixed-Use Land Development
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Water Resource Discovery & Development
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Real Estate Brokerage Services
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Residential & Commercial Construction
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Property Management
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Luxury Real Estate Sales
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Digital Marketing
LICENSE
Texas Real Estate Agent / Phyllis Browning Co. Realtor
Charles Kaplan Ph.D.
Chief Development Officer
Dr. Charles Kaplan serves as Chief Development Officer of Divine Developments, bringing over four decades of distinguished experience in economic development, infrastructure planning, and real estate innovation to the company's mixed-use development initiatives. In this role, he oversees master planning and infrastructure development strategies, leveraging his profound understanding of sustainable land use and environmental quality.
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As a founder of Dynamic Exploration, Dr. Kaplan continues to advance groundbreaking approaches to water resource discovery and development, integrating his extensive knowledge of underground infrastructure with cutting-edge technology. His unique perspective on subsurface resource management stems from a remarkable career that began at IBM, where he received his first internal patent award for pioneering work in "Big Data" at age 17.
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Dr. Kaplan's expertise is grounded in exceptional academic credentials, including a Ph.D. in Urban Development from the University of Chicago, where his research focused on the intricate relationship between land use and environmental quality. This academic foundation has informed his comprehensive approach to development, combining technological innovation with practical implementation strategies.
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His distinguished career includes serving as Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. Synthetic Fuels Corporation under Presidents Carter and Reagan, where he managed an $88 billion budget under the Energy Security Act. This role involved overseeing crucial Gulf Coast chemical plants and real estate development initiatives, establishing foundational principles for sustainable land development across urban and rural landscapes.
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In Texas real estate, Dr. Kaplan has left an indelible mark through the development of landmark projects including the La Cantera Shopping Center, Anaqua Springs, and Miralomas. His expertise in water infrastructure and sustainable community development has been instrumental in shaping growing communities across San Antonio, Houston, Boerne, Austin, and Corpus Christi.
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As a licensed real estate Broker with the Texas Real Estate Commission, Dr. Kaplan specializes in investment and development properties, with particular expertise in establishing water districts and wastewater treatment facilities. His leadership was recognized through his service as President of the South Texas Commercial Association of Realtors (STCAR) in 2018 and 2020, overseeing a 44-county region.
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Throughout his career, Dr. Kaplan has served as a White House advisor, professor, and consultant to over 500 national and international clients. His influence extends to professional organizations, where he served as executive director of NAIOP, ULI, and NAR. As an accomplished author, he has contributed significant works on land use, urban form, environment, and demographics.
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At Divine Developments, Dr. Kaplan continues to advance his vision for responsible development and effective infrastructure solutions, bringing together his unique blend of academic rigor, practical experience, and innovative thinking to create sustainable, thriving communities.
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Education:
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Ph.D., Urban Development, University of Chicago
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Graduate Degrees, University of Chicago
Professional Highlights:​
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Founder, Dynamic Exploration
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Director of Policy Planning, U.S. Synthetic Fuels Corporation
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President, South Texas Commercial Association of Realtors (2018, 2020)
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Executive Director, NAIOP, ULI, and NAR
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Licensed Real Estate Broker, Texas Real Estate Commission
EXPERTISE
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Real Estate Brokerage Services
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Residential & Commercial Construction
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Property Management
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Mixed-Use Land Development
LICENSE
Texas Real Estate Broker
HESTON KING
Chief Financial Officer
Heston's journey in finance and real estate is rooted in a unique upbringing on a large hunting and cattle ranch in deep South Texas. This foundation instilled in him a strong work ethic and practical problem-solving skills that would serve him well in his future career. After graduating from Baylor University with a degree in Entrepreneurial Finance, Heston found his home in the Greater San Antonio area, where he has resided for over two decades.
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Since 2002, Heston has built an impressive career in the financial sector, specializing in construction, commercial, and residential lending. His involvement in hundreds of transactions has given him a comprehensive understanding of the entire project lifecycle, from land acquisition and development to final construction. This hands-on experience has honed his ability to see the big picture while mastering the intricate details of complex financial deals.
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Currently, Heston serves as the head of lending at First United Bank in Spring Branch, where he has distinguished himself as a top volume producer of construction loans across three counties. His expertise and dedication have not gone unnoticed; prior to his current role, Heston was consistently recognized as a top producer at Gateway First Bank and Lending for several consecutive years.
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Heston's professional accolades include being awarded as a top 1% Originator for multiple years, a testament to his skill and client-focused approach. His influence extends across Bexar, Kendall, and Comal Counties, where he continues to be a leading producer of loans.
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What sets Heston apart in the competitive world of finance is his unique combination of strong quantitative skills, expert problem-solving abilities, and logical approach to financial challenges. He excels at analyzing industry trends and financial data to develop accurate investment recommendations tailored to his clients' interests and goals. Heston's ability to efficiently execute plans ensures that his clients' visions become reality, whether in real estate development or financial planning.
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Beyond his professional achievements, Heston values work-life balance. In his free time, he cherishes moments spent with his four children, embraces the joy of travel, and enjoys the strategic challenges of golf. This balance not only rejuvenates him but also brings a well-rounded perspective to his professional life, allowing him to relate to clients on a personal level and understand their broader life goals.
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Heston's career is a testament to the power of combining rural roots with financial acumen, creating a professional who is as comfortable discussing ranch management as he is structuring complex financial deals. His unique background and extensive experience make him an invaluable asset to clients navigating the intricate worlds of real estate and finance in the San Antonio area and beyond.
EXPERTISE
New Construction, Land and Pre-owned Property Lender. Financial Strategist
LICENSE
Lending Broker