Johnny Ussery

Johnny and his team and partners have been a part of many of the master-planned communities in Hilton Head-Bluffton since his arrival in the area in 1980. He now brings his experience in the area and his passion for the real estate business to Charter One Realty. As a partner of the number one real estate company in the Lowcountry, clients of the Ussery Group enjoy unmatched exposure with 11 offices located throughout the Bluffton/Hilton Head area.

Johnny and his wife, Genie, grew up in the same small town in rural North Carolina, about an hour east of Charlotte. They started “liking” each other when Genie was in the 8th grade and Johnny in the 7th grade. Genie went off to NC State and Johnny went off to UNC-Chapel Hill. Despite this, they got married and honeymooned on Hilton Head Island in 1977.

Three years later Johnny was recruited to come to Hilton Head Island to sell real estate. Now 40 years later with 4 children and 14 grandchildren, Johnny and Genie are still in the Lowcountry and Johnny continues to help people buy and sell homes throughout the Hilton Head/Bluffton area.

Johnny has consistently been one of the top realtors in the Lowcountry. He is the only realtor to have been part of the initial development and sales/marketing team of Colleton River, Belfair, Berkeley Hall and Hampton Lake.

Now Johnny has turned his full attention to helping buyers and sellers accomplish their dreams of buying or selling throughout the Lowcountry. Having based his business on the time-honored tradition of honesty and integrity, Johnny has a great reputation among not just his clients, but also among all the realtors in the area, thus enabling Johnny to successfully market and sell his clients’ homes while helping his buyers find the right community and home.

Also, due to Johnny’s reputation as a top lister and seller he has been asked to train other real estate teams throughout the country. Some of the communities and real estate teams that have hired him to train their teams include: Kiawah Island, Palmetto Bluff, Toscana in Indian Wells, California, Christophe Harbor in St. Kitts and many more.

As an ten year energetic pancreatic cancer survivor, Johnny greets each day with gratitude and enthusiasm. He cares about his clients and treats everyone he encounters with equal respect. You will get the same excellent service from Johnny whether you are purchasing or selling an inexpensive homesite or a multimillion dollar luxury residence.

Not all transactions go smoothly from start to the closing. Johnny is blessed with tremendous people skills and the ability to bring calmness to the storm. As a problem solver, he has the reputation for creatively and constructively offering solutions and bringing transactions together that might seem impossible for other agents.

If you’re looking for a true Lowcountry real estate professional, look no further. Johnny’s keen expertise of the Hilton Head and Bluffton market paired with his honest business practices make him an outstanding choice for buyers and sellers alike.

(843-384-8105) johnny@usserygroup.com

Thomas Maybank

Upon graduating from The University of the South—Sewanee, Thomas became a successful international fly fishing guide working in Montana, Alaska, Argentina, and Outer Mongolia. After years of travel Thomas decided to throw out his anchor in the Lowcountry, making it his home base in 1999 running his own charter fishing business. It was here that Thomas paired his passion for fishing with his love of the Lowcountry—the coastline he’d relentlessly explored during the summers of his youth.

On a blind date at Plum’s Restaurant in downtown Beaufort, Thomas met his future wife Liz, a school teacher. After a few years of marriage and the birth of their first child, he decided to pursue a career in real estate. In 2005, Thomas was recruited for a wonderful opportunity in Waynesville, NC, as a member of the real estate team for Balsam Mountain Preserve, a 4,000 acre mountain-top club community. Thomas had three successful years at Balsam that also included the birth of twins. As lovely as the mountains are, Thomas and Liz longed to return to the beauty of the Lowcountry, so when the opportunity came to join the team at the Palmetto Bluff developer sales office, they gladly came home. Fourteen years later, Thomas has created lasting friendships with his clients at “The Bluff”, who still turn to him today for their real estate needs. Thomas has helped hundreds of buyers and sellers to date within the Palmetto Bluff gates.

Known for his integrity, Thomas gives his personal best to each and every client from the first meeting on. Thomas and the team look forward to the opportunity to assist you and your friends.

(843-441-5829)thomas@usserygroup.com

Michael Haire

Blessed with an analytical mind, Michael’s early career included actuarial work in risk management for Blue Cross Blue Shield along with a role heading a prep school Mathematics Department. While numbers have always made sense to Michael, his passion was rooted in the personal connections drawn from helping someone achieve their personal goals. This passion, along with his love for the Lowcountry, led Michael to launch a successful career in real estate.

After four rewarding years at Colleton River, Michael was invited to join Jim Edwards and Jim Scheider as the final member of Palmetto Bluff’s original sales team in 2002 – about eight months prior to the first release of Palmetto Bluff properties. It was quickly evident that Palmetto Bluff was on a path to evolve into something very special – something unparalleled on the eastern seaboard. Michael had a front row seat as visionaries like Jim Mozley and Dave Howerton created the master plan that would serve as the foundation on which Palmetto Bluff’s success continues to be built.

As Michael will quickly attest (and his friends are quick to point out) he has “out punted his coverage” with his wife Sonya! She’s a special lady, and they have lived in Palmetto Bluff for the entirety of their twelve years of marriage. Their home was one of the first homes to be completed within May River Forest and has hosted countless new property owners as Sonya and Michael welcomed them to the community.

As a former high school and collegiate baseball player, Michael has always enjoyed being part of a team; and the Ussery Group is an amazing team with which to be associated. Working with a group of professionals who believe in honesty, integrity, and putting the client first creates the absolute best working environment.

(843-247-1345) michael@usserygroup.com

Keene Reese

Born and raised in Atlanta, Keene’s love for authentic coastal living began well before he stepped foot in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Keene spent the summers of his youth on Mobile Bay fishing, crabbing, shrimping, and boating. His sense of adventure and love of baseball ultimately took him to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).

After four great years in Oxford, Keene returned to Atlanta to accept a position working with the #1 real estate agent in Atlanta for three years while also assembling land deals and learning the residential development business. He was soon recognized by agents in Atlanta as one of the most talented and hard working brokers in the Buckhead market.

In the winter of 2000, Keene felt a pull back to the coast. After careful deliberation, he selected the South Carolina Lowcountry for its climate, geography, and unparalleled lifestyle. It was here Keene connected with Jim Mozley and was hired at Palmetto Bluff as a project manager on the development team. He was fortunate to learn every aspect of the residential development business, from wetland and archaeology delieanation, permitting, entitlements, conservation, roads, water, sewer, curb and gutter, to club structure and even golf course clearing and design. Needless to say, it was an extraordinary opportunity to learn from an industry icon as they developed the last great land treasure on the eastern seaboard.

As Keene transitioned back into real estate sales, he successfully assisted hundreds of buyers and sellers within Palmetto Bluff and has already transacted close to $180,000,000 in business to date.

While Keene has been very successful professionally, he values his faith, family, and friends most. He and his wife Allison have three children, Keene III (16) Lucy (13) and Emma (11). They are very active in the Bluffton Community and Keene’s philosophy on life is to always seize the day, never give up, and simply treat others the way you would like to be treated.

It’s been said that you can judge a man’s character by the company he keeps. At the Ussery Group, Keene and his partners practice “real estate the right way” and hold one another to the highest standards of integrity. Collectively, they’ve sold over a billion dollars of real estate – and they’ve done it the right way.

(843-301-6002) keene@usserygroup.com

Jeff Ussery

Born and raised on Hilton Head Island, Jeff has a true passion for the Lowcountry lifestyle. After graduating from Heritage Academy, he accepted a baseball scholarship to play at Georgia Tech where he earned his degree in business with a focus in marketing. He earned the distinction of Dean’s List as well as the ACC Honor roll.

In addition to opening doors at Georgia Tech, baseball has taken Jeff all over the country—he has played for teams in Cape Cod, Green Bay, the Hamptons, and Puerto Rico, making lifelong friends along the way.

While in Atlanta Jeff met his wife, Margaret, who was one of the captains of the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders. They have 3 children: Everly (7), Jeffrey Jr. (5), Lilly (2), and a fourth child due spring of 2022.

Prior to joining the Ussery Group at Charter One Realty, Jeff enjoyed a successful decade in the medical device field managing a top-performing team for Arthrex, an orthopedic device manufacturer. His commitment to putting others first allowed Jeff to achieve successful outcomes for his team at Arthrex, his surgeons, hospital administration, and patients alike.

Returning home to raise his young family among the live oaks, rivers, and beaches that served as the backdrop of his own childhood memories in the Lowcountry has been a dream come true. He’s equally thankful for the opportunity to work alongside his dad, Johnny—one of the most successful and respected realtors in the area for over 40 years.

Professionally, Jeff is excited to build on the Ussery Group’s legacy of excellence in real estate by prioritizing his clients’ needs and putting his local knowledge to work on their behalf.

(843-247-8500) jeff@usserygroup.com

Rachel Calvert
Marketing Coordinator

Rachel was born and raised in northeast Ohio but has enjoyed living in the Lowcountry since 2007. She has a background in reporting and analysis, working in both the telecommunications and healthcare industries, and was also a successful real estate agent.

Rachel has been an Administrative Assistant to The Ussery Group since 2009 handling listings, closings, and marketing, but now focuses her talents on the marketing side of things as the Marketing Coordinator. Her attention to detail and servant’s heart make her the ideal Marketing Coordinator for the Ussery Group.

Barbara Morrow
Head of Operations, the Ussery Group’s Palmetto Bluff Team

A native South Carolinian who was born and raised in Columbia, Barbara traveled and lived all over the country before returning to Hilton Head Island for a short-term project in the mid 1980s. After the renourishment of Harbour Town was complete, she was scheduled to depart for another project in Kansas City—“But as soon as I smelled the pluff mud, I knew I was home for good,” she says. She made the decision to put down permanent roots in the Lowcountry and hasn’t looked back since!

Barbara initially worked in food and beverage for Auberge at the Inn at Palmetto Bluff (now operated by Montage). While working at The River House, she formed many lasting relationships with Palmetto Bluff owners and guests that she carried with her after transitioning into the Palmetto Bluff developer real estate office. During her nearly 11-year tenure as the office’s real estate concierge, Barbara became the first point of contact for Palmetto Bluff’s newest members. In 2018 she came out of retirement to rejoin Keene, Michael, and Thomas as the Head of Operations for the Ussery Group’s Palmetto Bluff team.

She and her husband have a house on Lake Murray and live full-time in Bluffton, where they enjoy close proximity to family, the ocean, and small town sensibilities—all of the things that make the Lowcountry the very best place to call home.

Terri Davidson
Client Services Coordinator

Born and raised in Birmingham, Terri returned to Sweet Home Alabama in 2015 following 10+ years of working in the real estate world as a Contracts Administrator in Palmetto Bluff. By the spring of 2018, however, the siren call of marshes, May River shrimp, and the enviable “Bluffton state of mind” led Terri and her husband back to the Lowcountry. They now happily reside in Bluffton’s Rose Hill Plantation.

As the Client Services Coordinator for The Ussery Group, Terri assists founder Johnny Ussery by setting up appointments, providing feedback from showings, and preparing listing presentations. She feels blessed to interact with Charter One team members, local realtors, and The Ussery Group’s valued clients on a daily basis. Outside of the office Terri is most likely to be found spending time with friends and enjoying the Lowcountry lifestyle with her husband, Jim, and their two kids—miniature schnauzers Jack and Maggie.

Sharon Cleland
Staging and Design

With over 90% of home buyers starting their search on-line, it is more important than ever that homes look as good as possible before we start our marketing program. In light of this, Johnny offers a value-added service to his seller clients. Johnny brings in, at his expense, Sharon Cleland of J. Banks Design. Sharon helps clients of the Ussery Group to repurpose and edit (declutter) their home so that potential buyers can “see” themselves and their furniture in the home.

When Sharon finishes her work, many sellers have exclaimed, “My home looks awesome!” “Why did I not do this earlier?”

Sharon is originally from Ireland where she owned and operated a very successful interior design firm. She has built a portfolio of international projects that span the globe.

Now a top designer with J. Banks Design on Hilton Head, Sharon brings her talent and expertise to clients of The Ussery Group as she helps transform their homes to make them more marketable.

Julie Cunningham
Licensed Listing and Transaction Coordinator

Julie Cunningham was Born and raised in Charleston, and graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Julie and her family moved to Bluffton in 2012 where they’ve since settled in the Alljoy area. Julie, her husband Sean, son Jayden, and Basset Hound Red enjoy the true Lowcountry lifestyle filled with days on the dock, boating, fishing, golf carting to Old Towne and many more outdoor activities.

Julie worked as the Closing Manager for the developer of Palmetto Bluff for from 2012-2022 before taking some time off to enjoy traveling with her family and working part time as a Client Services Coordinator for Keene Reese. She returned to full time work in August of 2023 as a licensed Listing and Transaction Coordinator with Charter One Realty and the Ussery Group.

Nancy Simmons
Closing Coordinator

Nancy is originally from Connecticut. She received a double major in French and Psychology from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and then attended grad school at the University of Florida in Gainesville. She moved to the Hilton Head area 25 years ago and has a son and two daughters.

Nancy has been a closing coordinator for Charter One Realty for 16 years. Her years of experience and attention to detail are greatly appreciated by the Ussery Group’s clients!

Celia Lorris
Showing and Feedback Coordinator

Celia is a native South Carolinian born in Spartanburg. She was formerly a Regional Sales Manager for an accounts receivable company working with the medical industry and covering four states. Prior to moving to Bluffton in 2016 Celia worked as a Human Resource Manager in the Charleston area for a medical billing company. She joined Charter One in 2016 initially as a Listing Coordinator and is now Feedback Coordinator for the Ussery Group and is the receptionist in the Belfair office.

Celia and her husband Gregory reside in Bluffton and have three grown children and three grandchildren.

Meet the Ussery Group

Over $1 billion in Lowcountry Real Estate sold.

Our business model is very simple.

It’s about you.

Do you remember when integrity came standard? When trust was something that you earned? When results simply spoke for themselves? The Ussery Group combines time honored values with today’s technology to form an uncommon real estate business.

With over $1 billion in real estate sold, we call it “Real Estate the Right Way.”

RESULTS

You’re in good hands. With over 92 years of collective experience and $1 billion in real estate sold throughout the Lowcountry, our team of experienced professionals is uniquely positioned to help you achieve your goals.

RELATIONSHIPS

Real estate is deeply personal. Whether you’re searching for the perfect place to call home, or selling a home you poured your heart into building, we understand—and we’re here to help you navigate the process.

INTEGRITY

At the Ussery Group, we believe that character and integrity are foundational to operating with sustained excellence. As we work together to buy or sell your home, we look forward to earning your trust.

MEET THE TEAM

Johnny Ussery

(843-384-8105) johnny@usserygroup.com

Thomas Maybank

When Thomas was still a child, his uncle (an avid sportsman) handed him a fly rod and generously offered a few words of guidance. Those moments captured his imagination, and sparked a passion for fly fishing that would ultimately take him all over the world. Upon graduating from The University of the South—Sewanee, Thomas became a successful international fly fishing guide working in Montana, Alaska, Argentina, and Outer Mongolia. After years of travel Thomas decided to throw out his anchor in the Lowcountry, making it his home base in 1999 running his own charter fishing business.

(843-441-5829) thomas@usserygroup.com

Rachel Calvert

Marketing Coordinator

Barbara Morrow

Head of Operations
the Ussery Group’s Palmetto Bluff Team

Terri Davidson

Client Services Coordinator

Sharon Cleland

Staging and Design

Julie Cunningham

Licensed Listing and Transaction Coordinator

Nancy Simmons

Closing Coordinator

Celia Lorris

Showing and Feedback Coordinator

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

A true professional in every way

A true professional in every way. We had an “unfortunate” contract that fell through but thanks to [Johnny’s] diligence we were able to secure a new contact/sale. It was a pleasure to work with him.

-Andy And Denise Hobbie

Knowledge of PB and the area is unsurpassed

We purchased our house at Palmetto Bluff eight years ago with the help of Thomas Maybank. He has been a dear friend ever since. His knowledge of PB and the area is unsurpassed and as we are not full-time residents, we rely on him often. His real estate experience and guidance helped us find the perfect home at Palmetto Bluff. When we looked at houses for sale on a whim eight years ago, we didn’t expect to find such a magical place. Buying our house was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. Thanks for everything, Thomas!

– David and Geri G.

Made the buying process a joy

Michael Haire was great to work with in buying a home at Palmetto Bluff (PB). He asked questions and listened well to what we were looking for, and then showed us options that met or exceeded our expectations. His sense of humor and friendly side-kick Kona made the buying process a joy. Michael was a pleasure to work with, very knowledgeable and he made times available to meet with us on short notice with our tight travel schedule. We love our new PB home and would highly recommend Michael for your Lowcountry real estate needs.

– Bill and Deb Horst

Personality and superior character

As one of the original members of the Palmetto Bluff real estate team and the longest serving member of that team, few if any know Palmetto Bluff and Palmetto Bluff real estate as well as Keene Reese. We surely benefitted from his depth of knowledge and excellent relationships when we purchased and developed our Palmetto Bluff homesite. Keene’s wonderful personality and superior character added to our very favorable experience. We certainly intend to involve Keene in our next Low Country transaction.

– Melanie and Lyles Glenn