About The Poltrock Team at RE/MAX
John Poltrock, the Team’s Leader, possesses that enviable combination of Southern friendliness and top-notch market and technology knowledge. Throughout his highly successful real estate career, John has parlayed his laser focus and superb client service into a well-earned reputation for results.
A Top Producer for almost two decades, John has been voted the Cherokee Scout Reader’s Choice “Favorite Real Estate Agent” Award seven times. He and the team have also received RE/MAX International’s Pinnacle Award (the highest possible award) and the Diamond Award 6 times, putting them in the top 1% of Realtors in RE/MAX. John spearheads The Poltrock Team, a dynamic nine-member team that is a dominant real estate market force.
Not surprisingly, John has two earlier a
chievements that helped to shape his successful real estate career. After becoming an Eagle Scout during his teens, John earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Planning from Western Carolina University.
When John has some downtime, he takes every opportunity to get outdoors, and he especially enjoys hiking, camping, riding ATV’s, and more. John and his wife Jessica have been married since 2005, and they have two wonderful children, ages 22 and 11.
Sarah Thompson is our delightful Buyer’s Concierge who expertly guides clients through the earliest stages of the home-buying process. While we have a hard time getting her to smile for a picture, you’ll never meet a more friendly, supportive person. She quickly provides details on available properties, and partners each buyer with the agent who best fits that client’s needs. Sarah also assists buyers with their financing options. This is an unparalleled benefit to buyers and sellers alike, ensuring that inquiries receive an immediate response and setting the stage for a seamless real estate sale.
Sarah is a lifelong Murphy resident and a proud Murphy High School graduate. Her local knowledge and connections make her a tremendous asset to clients and the team. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and being one of the best grandmothers you could ever ask for.
Thomas Sumpter, our excellent buyer’s agent, grew up in Murphy and had the privilege of being part of a unique, vibrant and tight-knit family oriented community. His childhood was filled with playing sports and participating in the school band.
His roots run deep and family has always been the cornerstone of his life. His father, a dedicated attorney for over 50 years, and his mother, a retired school teacher after 35 years of service, instilled in him the values of hard work, integrity, and community service. His mother also served on the city council for 20 years, and his father was a county commissioner for 4 years, both demonstrating a profound commitment to making our small hometown a better place. His brother, a successful local business owner, continues this legacy of community involvement and entrepreneurship.
A love for old cars and living rural the mountain life has always called to him, offering a serene escape and a reminder of the beauty and tranquility that our region offers. Embracing life’s antics with a sense of humor and adventure, he strives to live appreciation for the little moments that make life so rich and rewarding.
Derrick Palmer, our land expert, is a lifelong resident of Cherokee County. He graduated from Murphy High School and attended Western Carolina University. He has 28 years in law enforcement , including 8 years as the elected Sheriff. He is also pastor of Ranger Baptist Church, and has previously served as pastor of churches in two other communities. His service and dedication to the community in those capacities have given him a very unique perspective of Western North Carolina.
Derrick is married, has three grown children, and two grandchildren. He enjoys outdoors, hunting, camping, and college football. Derrick obtained his real estate license in 2022 and enjoys working with citizens and visitors of the area in this new capacity.
Bobby Hurley, another universal agent on our team, has worked in the Real Estate Industry for over 2.5 decades. He earned his Florida RE license in 2004 and His North Carolina License in 2022. He worked simultaneously in the Mortgage business as a licensed mortgage loan originator since January 2000.
He has great knowledge of real estate investing, buying and selling real estate, and is well versed in all areas of the Real Estate Market. He is still writing Mortgage Loans in dozens of states and has all of his client’s needs covered. Bobby and his Wife moved to Western North Carolina in the Summer of 2022 after falling in love with Mountain Life and becoming empty nesters as their kids ventured into college.
His knowledge and experience in multiple markets makes him a valuable asset for his clients. He loves the outdoors and hiking and has real experience on what’s it like to move across state lines and he even runs his own AirBNB business and can share his experience and successes here in the Western Carolina and North Georgia market.
Laurie Licari, our lovely Director of First Impressions, was born and raised in Central Florida, although she often says, ” the Mountains have always called my name”. Her and her husband bought a cabin in Murphy in 2019, initially as a part-time residence. It didn’t take long for them to realize this would be there forever home, and they moved permanently in August of 2023. Laurie’s husband says she love two things: People and Food….and never in a particular order. She lives for God, her family and her country. She has three children and three grandchildren. She loves to garden and just enjoy all of God’s creation.
Emily Kephart is a highly accomplished real estate agent from Murphy, North Carolina. With eight years in the industry, her intimate knowledge of the local community and its unique charms has established her as a prominent figure. Emily’s fascination with the intricate process of buying and selling homes led her to pursue a career in real estate, where she has consistently demonstrated exceptional skills in client service, negotiation, and market analysis.
Emily’s clients value her honest and transparent approach, as well as her commitment to their goals. Her comprehensive knowledge of the Murphy area’s real estate market, local trends, and property values enables her to provide valuable insights and strategic advice. Whether assisting first-time homebuyers, working with investors, or facilitating luxury property sales, Emily is dedicated to delivering exceptional results.
Outside of work, Emily actively participates in local events, supports charitable causes, and strives to positively impact Murphy and its surrounding areas. Her dedication to her profession and community has earned her the respect and admiration of her peers and clients alike.
Courtney Nones, our Poltrock Team listing assistant, grew up in the suburbs of Jacksonville, FL in Green Cove Springs. She has worked with both buyers and sellers and utilizes her Bachelors in Public Relations from the University of Florida to the advantage of her clients when it comes to interpersonal communications and marketing.
She and her husband, Brayden, married in 2019 and moved to the mountains when Brayden was offered a job as a youth pastor at Red Oak Church in Andrews, NC. Together they enjoy exploring the trails, lakes, and rivers of beautiful Western North Carolina. You can reach Courtney at 904-514-6873.
Robin Barry is our Director of First Impressions and the first smiling face you see when you come in our office. She is the newest member of our team and handles many of the behind-the-scenes jobs that keep the office running smoothly.
Robin was born and raised in southwest Georgia but got to the mountains as fast as she could! She and her husband, Bernie, have lived here since 2018 and have three daughters, five grandchildren, and their very special Chihuahua buddy, Paco.
When she’s not at work, Robin occasionally ventures into Murphy or surrounding towns for dinner out with friends, but you can almost always find her at home, out on the deck either gardening or just enjoying a good book and marveling at the majestic mountain views that drew her home to Murphy, NC.
Mitch Nimey, a lifelong Appalachian resident, graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Aeronautical Science. He served as an Airline Transport Pilot and Flight Instructor for over two decades before transitioning to real estate development and brokerage. Over the past 30+ years, he has managed more than 25 master-planned neighborhoods and developed over 5,000 residential lots in metro Atlanta. As a project leader, he manages numerous team members and coordinates with dozens of subcontractors across various development aspects, including zoning, financing, infrastructure, and brokerage sales. Now retired from developing and the fast pace of Atlanta life, Mitch uses his expertise to help others achieve their real estate goals, particularly in the scenic landscapes of Appalachia.
In addition to our dedicated team members, The Poltrock Team partners with other RE/MAX agents and office personnel to provide clients with optimum results. Add carefully chosen lenders, attorneys, appraisers, and service providers, and you have all the ingredients for a successful outcome. You can see our recommended vendors and contractors right here on our Gotta Guy List.
So, for stellar service that will leave you smiling, call The Poltrock Team for your next real estate transaction. They love what they do, and it shows!