Your Agents

Richard Ellis, Sr., founder of Advantage Realty, has been in the real estate business for 30 years. He is a past President of the Tuscaloosa Board of Realtors, a member of the Industrial Development Authority, and recognized as a leading residential and commercial broker for the past 25 years.

Richard's daily duties include planning and developing strategies for commercial and residential subdivisions. He also guides a professional marketing and management effort for all types of commercial and residential property. He considers customer service to play a huge part in the success of Advantage Realty.

In the past, Richard gained work experience from his employment in various management positions in the textile industry. Originally from LaGrange, GA, Richard is a current resident of Tuscaloosa for over 30 years. He is married to Darlene, and they have four children and seven grandchildren. His hobbies include golf and travel.

Mr. Ellis has a keen interest in the orderly development of the West Alabama area and is always ready to assist the Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Development Authority in economic and business development.

Bill Trick, Vice President of Advantage Realty since 1986, has been working in the real estate business since 1973. His daily responsibilities are to plan, build, manage, and develop apartment communities and offices. Bill considers his greatest contribution to the success of Advantage to be his dependable leadership.

Bill graduated from the University of Alabama in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance, majoring in Real Estate. He aspires to continue his education in Muti-Family Development.

Originally from North Manchester, Indiana, he moved to Tuscaloosa in 1969 and has lived there since. He is married to Sherri and they have two children. Bill is involved in several community activities including JH Ranch Ministries, Outback America Parent-Child Ministry, and is an active member of The Church at Tuscaloosa.

Bill enjoys life and helping others through work and ministry. Golf is his favorite hobby and he is a basketball and football fan. Bill loves his real estate career.

Richard Ellis Jr., son of company founder Richard Ellis Sr., is Owner and Broker of Advantage Realty. He has been in real estate with Advantage Realty since 1992. His daily job duties include overseeing sales meetings, managing office staff, and selling and leasing various properties.

Richard attended Auburn University at Montgomery, where he earned a Bachelor of General Studies degree. Richard was born in Cleveland, Ohio but has lived in Tuscaloosa since 1974. He is married to the former Shelly Smith of Selma and they have three daughters, Sarah Kyser, Reynolds, and Isabella. Richard is a Graduate of Leadership Tuscaloosa and is the Alumni Advisor for Kappa Alpha at the University of Alabama. He has also served and is currently on various boards and committees including Youth For Christ, the NorthRiver Yacht Club, Capstone Bank, and the First United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa.

In addition to his involvement in real estate and the University of Alabama, Richard enjoys spending his free time playing golf, hunting, running, and spending time with his family.

Richard attributes his success to thoroughly knowing and respecting every area of real estate services.

Alice Maxwell, a real estate agent of 15 years, has dedicated her time to showing, selling, and listing property through Advantage Realty. Alice has served over 1,793 families during her 15 years in real estate. She has successfully earned her CRS, ABR, and GRI designations. Alice has also been awarded the Arthur B. Pope Achievement Award. Recently recognized as "Defining Woman of the Year" for excellence in business by the Women in Business Council for 2007, she feels that her positive attitude has contributed greatly to her success in the real estate business. In July of 2008, Alice was awarded "Realtor of the Year."

Alice was a graduate of the University of Alabama, with a BS in Education. She is a native of Tuscaloosa, and is married to John B Maxwell, Jr. She has three children: Anne, Davis, and Stuart, and two grandsons Jack and Maxwell. Outside of her real estate career, Alice is a member of the Board of Directors with Lister Hill, The Stallings Center, Junior League, Soup Bowl, BNI, Magic Moments, Crossing Points and Capstone Bank. Alice's hobbies include scuba diving, gardening, and cooking.

"Mama Always Told Me . . ."
"Mama always told me I was born with spirit! That spirit has carried over into my real estate career. It's important to me to give 100% to every client, because I know that buying and selling a home is more than just paperwork and details. It's about realizing your goals and dreams. And when we're through, I feel I've been successful only if my clients are completely satisfied! That's what Mama taught me. And after all these years, I still like making her proud."

Mission Statement My mission is to create raving fans, and to encourage and inspire friends and clients with outstanding service.

"Dear Alice and the Alice Maxwell Team, I want to thank you for your hard work and dedication to your profession. My wife and I could not have found a better team than the Alice Maxwell Team to sell our home. You guys are the best in my book! Thanks again. A very satisfied client, Brad Cambell"

Andrew Gore, a real estate salesperson since January 2004 with Advantage Realty, began his career while in college as a property manager. Andrew’s daily responsibilities entail listing, selling, and actively marketing residential and commercial property. He interacts daily with new prospects, existing customers, and seeks new income generating leads.

Andrew has integrity, ambition, enthusiasm, and youthfulness, which all contribute to his successful career in the real estate field. Andrew, a native of Tuscaloosa, attended the University of Alabama, and received a degree in financial planning in 2003. Andrew’s parents live in Orlando, FL. He has one brother, who is the owner of a residential construction company in Tuscaloosa.

Andrew was a member of The Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors Board of Directors from 2008-2010. He was the recipient of the 2008 Alabama Association of Realtors Arthur B. Pope Educational Achievement Award. This award is given to only one Realtor each year in the state out of more than 33,000 members. This award is given for exemplary commitment and dedication to continuing education and professional development. He has successfully earned several real estate designations including CRS - Certified Residential Specialists, ABR – Accredited Buyer’s Representative, SRES – Senior Real Estate Specialist, and E-Pro – Real Estate Internet Professional. In his free time, he enjoys participating in political issues, hunting and water sports. Andrew has a strong desire to continue as a leader in the real estate industry by earning respect and appreciation from customers and real estate professionals alike.

Andy Turner has been a real estate agent with Advantage Realty since 2004. His daily responsibilities include the sales of new homes and condominiums, and the creation and management of new developments including residential subdivisions, condominiums, and urban infill projects.

Andy believes that his success can be attributed to his deep passion for the people and community of Tuscaloosa, and his commitment to provide excellent service built on a foundation of integrity. He feels that the city of Tuscaloosa is one of the greatest places to live, and has tremendous opportunity for continued positive growth while preserving the wonderful heritage that makes Tuscaloosa unique.

Andy is originally from Selma, Alabama, but has lived in Tuscaloosa since 1996. His wife is Erin, and together they have a son, Andrew. Andy is a very involved community member giving time to Outback America, an organization committed to strengthening the relationships between parents and their children in the local community. He also serves in various leadership capacities at The Church of Tuscaloosa, and is involved in the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce. In his spare time, Andy enjoys playing golf, water skiing, and hunting.

Prior to working in real estate sales and development, Andy worked as an instructor of Business Ethics and Small Company Management for the University of Alabama. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Alabama, and went on to receive his PhD in Strategic Management from the University of Alabama.

During his time in school he received numerous awards including the National Alumni Association Graduate Fellow, the Graduate Council Fellowship, the Langston T. Hawley Management Graduate Scholarship Award, the Betty Loomis Distinguished Student Scholarship, the Minnie C. Miles Human Resources Management Endowed Graduate Scholarship, the Coleman Scholarship, and the Frederick Augustine Brett Memorial Endowed Scholarship. In addition, he has also worked as an industry consultant, and as a leadership counselor.

Since entering the Real Estate Business Bob has attended numerous Real Estate classes earning the major designations of "Certified Residential Specialist," "Accredited Buyer Representative," and "Graduate Realtor Institute of Alabama."

Bob served in the U.S. Air Force, worked as a Marketing Representative for a major oil company, and is a retired History Professor. He is a member of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, and attends Five Points Baptist Church. He and his wife Wanda have five grandsons.

Bob has the experience, and the credentials to represent you at the very highest professional standards, and conducts his business with the personal high standards set by his motto -"Getting it Done the Right Way."

Mission Statement To provide my clients and customers with the most professional and up-to-date services available. I will continue to meet the goal of helping you, the client/customer, achieve the profitability that you desire with as little discomfort and inconvenience as possible. "Getting it done the right way"

Darlene Ellis has been in the real estate business for 20 years. She has been a real estate agent for seven years at Advantage Realty. Darlene, a native of Tuscaloosa, currently resides there with her husband, Richard Ellis, Sr. Together they have four children and seven grandchildren.

Darlene is a graduate from the Tuscaloosa City school system. In addition, she is an active member of several organizations. These include Women’s Chamber of Commerce, family counseling, Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre, ARC of Tuscaloosa, and Circlewood Baptist Church.

Darlene strives daily to help her husband, Richard, in any way possible to make their careers successful.

Eleven years as a professional athlete taught Darren the true meaning of hard work, determination and a commitment to excellence. Darren has been a full time member of the Advantage Realty Group since 2003. Darren is a member of the National Association of Realtors, Alabama Association of Realtors, Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors and the Homebuilder's Association of Tuscaloosa. He is also a member of the Druid City Business League.

Darren specializes in residential, new construction, land and commercial sales. Darren is dedicated to outstanding service and performance excellence. He is resourceful with a strong record of accomplishments and a reputation for work habits that produce quality results.

He is a native of Alberta, Canada and spent the previous 11 years as a professional hockey player and coach. Darren spent time playing in both North America and Europe and collected may accolades during his career for his contributions on and off the ice. Darren is a member and supporter of the Professional Hockey Player's Association.

Darren and his wife Betsy who is a life long resident of Tuscaloosa are proud to call Tuscaloosa home. They have two sons Cole and Caleb. Darren and Betsy are also co-owners of the women's boutique Part Two in the Tuscaloosa Galleria. Darren, Betsy, Cole and Caleb are proud supporters of the Stalling Center and may other local organizations. Darren enjoys attending Alabama athletic events, relaxing on the golf course and spending time with his family. He likes to spend time on Lake Tuscaloosa.

Darren's passion for real estate and the relationships with his clients is what has contributed to his success. Whether you are buying, selling, looking for your next investment property or condominium he will be with you every step of the way.

Debbie has an honest and genuine desire to help you find the perfect home for your lifestyle. She knows the importance of working with an agent who keeps your best interests in mind, believes in customer service and listens to your needs.

Debbie Merrell joined The Advantage Realty Group in 2005. She recently earned the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) designation. In addition she is currently working on the GRI designation. Since becoming a Realtor she has been very involved in the real estate community serving on the Social Committee, Community Projects Committee, Grievance Committee and 2007 Women's Council of Realtor's President of the Tuscaloosa Chapter. This year she was appointed State Director at Large for the Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors. Debbie was awarded the 2006 Rookie of the Year by the Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors.

As a Tuscaloosa native, Debbie brings extensive knowledge of the city and surrounding areas. She attended Central High School and Shelton State Community College where she obtained her real estate license. She received her post-license education at Avery Yarbrough Real Estate School in Birmingham.

Prior to real estate, Debbie established a 25 year career with the Tuscaloosa Police Department as a Communications Supervisor where she managed daily activities with the 911 center.

Debbie is the mother of three daughters, Tammy, Lisa and Angelia, and son-in-law, Michael. She also has five wonderful grandchildren, Drew, Cody, Clay, Anna and Olivia.

Howard Garrison, CRB, longtime Tuscaloosa Resident and community leader. He will be specializes in commercial and residential sales and leasing, and has over 35 years of experience in the Tuscaloosa real estate market. He holds the CRB (certified Residential Brokerage manager) from the National Association of Realtors.

A leader in the real estate industry for years, Garrison has served as President of the Alabama Association of Realtors, the Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors and served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Realtors. He has also served as Board Chairman for two years and a Trustee for ten years on the board of the Center for Real Estate at the University of Alabama and has been named a Realtor of the Year. He is currently a Life Director of the Alabama Association of Realtors.

In the Tuscaloosa community, Garrison has served as President of the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa, Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the United Way Campaign and Chairman of the Board of the United Way. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and is on the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the United Way.

With over ten years of experience Ileana Jones has made a reputation for continuing education and customer service at Advantage Realty.

She has received her Accredited Buyer Representative Designation, Graduate Realtor Institute Certificate, and Certified Residential Specialist Designation. She is a member of the Council of Residential Specialists, to which only the top 5% of Realtors in the nation belong. In addition to her education and experience in Real Estate, she is also a graduate of Bethanig Institute Guatemala with a Bachelor of Science and Letters in Bilingual Business Administration. Ileana has an Art Major and she enjoys doing Art shows. Her media is oil and charcoals.

Ileana is one of the few, maybe the only, bilingual Realtor in Tuscaloosa. Her native tongue is Spanish and she has been a Realtor of choice for the growing Hispanic market of homeowners locally.

Ileana is an avid participant in marathons. She has completed 25 marathons, including marathons in New York, Chicago, Washington, San Diego, Nashville, Pensacola, Las Vegas, Honolulu, Idaho, Detroit, and Cincinnati to name a few places. She placed third in Birmingham Marathon in her age division. Originally from Guatemala City, she has 3 grown sons. Ileana's goal is to create friends for life and to go the extra mile for her customers. "My job is not complete until we meet at the finish line and you are totally satisfied with the results," she says. Call Ileana – she'll go the extra mile for you as well!!
Hablamos Español Con diez años de experiencia Ileana Jones tiene reputación por continuar educacion en los Bienes de Raises y poder dar el mejor servicio en Advantage Realty. Ileana tiene certificado de Agente de compra de casas, tambien la designacion del Instituto Graduate Realtor y el Certificado Presidensial Especialista. Ileana le gusta pintar oleos y tambien dibujar en carbón. Ileana ha corrido 25 maratones en diferentes lugares, como Chicago, New York, Pikes Peak, San Diego, etc. Mi trabajo no esta terminado hasta que mi cliente este totalmente satisfecho.

Joe Strauss is a buyer’s specialist with the Alice Maxwell Team. He was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, but fell in love with Tuscaloosa after graduating from the University of Alabama in 2008. Joe graduated with a degree in Finance Real Estate, yet desired a career in real estate. During college, Joe received experience in leasing and management with Cornerstone Management, and was an active member of Rho Epsilon, a student Real Estate association at the University. In addition, during his college years, Joe worked on the Alice Maxwell Team of Advantage Realty as an assistant. Three years later, when the opportunity to join the Alice Maxwell Team as a full time licensed real estate agent presented itself, Joe joined the team without hesitation. In his spare time Joe enjoys watching sports, especially University of Alabama football and basketball games. Whenever he gets the chance, he loves going back home to South Carolina to be with his family.

Linda received a real estate license in 1972 and came to Advantage Realty in 1996. Her duties involve the listing and sales of commercial and residential properties both new and existing in the Tuscaloosa area. She currently holds the GRI designation and is an accredited buyers' representative.

Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Linda received her BA and graduate degrees from the University of Alabama. She has one daughter and two grandsons. Actively involved in the Church of Tuscaloosa she serves in the Celebrate Recover Ministry.

Being a lifelong resident of Tuscaloosa, some of Linda's customers are second and third family generations.

Please call her at 205-454-4346 or e-mail her at lmccrory@advantagerealtygroup.com for any of her listings or other area properties.

Mary Jo Mason is one of Tuscaloosa’s Top Realtors. She has been active full time in the real estate business since 1978 and was recognized in 2007 for providing “Top Block Service” to all her customers by one of the Nation’s leading relocation companies. Mary Jo is past President of the Association of Realtors and was chosen its Outstanding Member of the Year.

A “Life Member of the Million Dollar Club,” Mary Jo specializes in residential properties including Lake Tuscaloosa waterfront real estate, Condos for University of Alabama students/fans/alumni, corporate relocation, new construction, land/lots and commercial sales. She is affiliated with a number of relocation companies. Some of the companies she currently represents are Cartus Relocation, Prudential Relocation, Americorp Relocation, Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Corporate Relocation Services, Primacy Relocation, and Sirva Relocation.

Mary Jo has been a resident of Tuscaloosa since 1968. She is a native of New Orleans and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Louisiana State University. Her husband, John O. Mason, Jr., a Certified Public Accountant, is a professor in the Cluverhouse School of Accountancy at the University of Alabama. They have 3 sons and 10 grandchildren. Mary Jo loves Louisiana food. Among her favorite recipes are: Seafood Gumbo, Seafood Boil, Crawfish Fettuccini, Creole Jambalaya, Shrimp Creole, Chicken in a Roux and Bread Pudding. She is always happy to share these recipes as well as others.

Mary Jo’s exceptional gift and love of real estate, her commitment and dedication to providing superior service, and her determination to take excellent care of her clients and friends has contributed not only to their happiness and well being but to her own success and the success of her company.

Many of my greatest rewards in life have been a direct result of all the clients and families that I have served and cared for since 1978. Among them are many of my closest and dearest friends. Some are like family to me. This is my ongoing mission.

Merline Spivey, a Realtor and Stock Holder with The Advantage Realty Group since 1984, has over twenty-three years experience with showing, listing, and selling residential and commercial properties, both new and existing.

Merline is a Graduate of the Realtor Institute, is an Accredited Buyer Representative, and a Certified Residential Specialist to which only the top 5% of Realtors in the United States belong. She was recently awarded a certificate for twenty years in Real Estate by the Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors and is a "Life Member of The Million Dollar Club”. Prior to her career as a Realtor, Merline was a real estate secretary and property manager for Boyd-Cole Realty where she was involved in all facets of the real estate market. In conjunction with her real estate career, she worked for seventeen years with her builder husband decorating his new homes as well as coordinating and assisting all clients with their custom built homes.

She feels that the greatest contribution to her success at Advantage Realty includes her ability to share her knowledge and experience of the real estate market with others. She also feels that she is easy to work with and is very dependable. Merline desires to further her career by obtaining her Broker's license.

Merline is a native of Tuscaloosa and currently lives there with her husband, Bob Spivey of Bob Spivey Construction Co. She has three daughters, all graduates of the University of Alabama, and six grandchildren. Merline also attended the University of Alabama where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Today she volunteers and serves on the House Corporation for her sorority. Her extracurricular activities include volunteer work with the March of Dimes and other various charities, and attends Calvary Baptist Church.

Her hobbies include spending time with her grandchildren, traveling, decorating (both personal and customer oriented), antiquing, and collecting artwork.

Merline is a very warm, caring person who is dedicated to her job and to her clients. Call Merline and discover the difference she can make in your home buying/selling experience.

Energetic, dependable, and loyal are just a few words to describe Nathan Dendy. He strives for excellence in every area of his life, and is committed to representing all of his clients with integrity, honesty, and loyalty. Nathan is passionate about the real estate profession because it provides him with the opportunity to serve people by helping them achieve their goals.

Nathan graduated from the University of Alabama in 2007 with a degree in Finance, and has been working in property management for the past two years. He is involved with several community activities including, JH Ranch Ministries, Outback America, and serves an active role in his church, New Beginning Family Worship Center.

A Tuscaloosa native, Nathan enjoys water sports, hunting, fishing, back packing, and anything that involves the outdoors.

Patrick Agee, CCIM has been with Advantage Realty for over 8 years. His daily responsibilities include commercial real estate development, sales, leasing and management. In addition to consulting for residential development, he also lists and sells condominiums and single family residential homes. Originally from Demopolis, Alabama, Patrick attended the University of West Alabama (’97 - ‘00) where he studied Business Administration and lettered in Varsity Baseball. He then attended the University of Alabama (’00 – ‘02) where he earned a BS in Finance - graduating with honors in Finance.

In October 2010, Patrick earned his Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation from the CCIM Institute, one of the leading commercial real estate associations in the world. Agee is among the 6% of estimated 150,000 commercial real estate practitioners nationwide that hold the CCIM designation. CCIMs are recognized experts in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, asset management, valuation and investment analysis.

Agee has developed a good understanding of commercial real estate through the management of a diverse real estate portfolio. The portfolio he manages includes 6 office properties with 45,000 SF, 8 retail properties with 150,000 SF, 5 industrial properties with 200,000 SF and 6 multi-family properties with over 800 units. Patrick’s daily responsibilities have allowed him to develop a broad understanding of the commercial real estate industry.

In his spare time, Agee volunteers with Adopt-A-Schools and the United Way, enjoys watching Alabama football and basketball, going to the beach, golfing and sport fishing.

Robin Maddox joined Advantage Realty in 2006 after a long career in public education, most recently at the University of Alabama.

Robin moved to Tuscaloosa in 1987 to attend UA and like so many others, found a permanent home in this great city. Robin finished her second BS degree from UA in 1989 and started teaching school in the Tuscaloosa County School System. In 1994 she completed her Masters in Biology.

"I taught school in Tuscaloosa County for 17 years and my son will graduate this year from Bryant High School in the Tuscaloosa City School System. When you add to that my years directing programs at the University of Alabama you get a vast amount of knowledge of education in Tuscaloosa. This is one of several things that separate me from my colleagues. It is very rewarding to me to match families with homes and schools that fit their needs at the same time."

Robin is the mother of two children, Trey 18 and Taylor 5.

She is very involved with community organizations.

"I was taught at an early age that it is important to give back. Growing up, my parents didn't have a lot monetarily, so they had an "open garden" policy. Anyone in the community knew they could come pick fresh vegetables in season. I try to remember this lesson by being an active volunteer in my community. I enjoy teaching Sunday School at my church, helping to organize Merry Market as a member of the Junior League of Tuscaloosa, and sitting on various boards such as the Temporary Emergency Service of Tuscaloosa."

Robin is excited about her career as a Realtor and has hit the road running. There is no doubt she will earn her way to the top.

"It is important to me to treat not the way I want to be treated, but better. At the end of the day it is so much more important to me to have worked hard and treated people fairly than be concerned with how much money I can make. I believe that if you do those two things in whatever profession you choose, you will be successful."

Robin's philosophy must hold true because in her first year she has sold 6 million dollars of Real Estate!

Tricia Gray has been a Realtor at Advantage Realty since 2002. She works daily with home buyers and home sellers in the Real Estate process. She is an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) and her passion is to help first time home buyers purchase the perfect home! Tricia's goal is to represent her clients with a positive attitude, honesty & determination.

Tricia is originally from Tuscaloosa and currently resides there with her husband Jason Gray. She graduated from Central High School in Tuscaloosa in 1997. She had a desire from a young age to be a top producing Realtor! She graduated from The University of Alabama in 2001 with a degree in Real Estate Finance. Since then, she has worked hard in the Real Estate industry earning trust among her clients & customers. Tricia and her husband Jason are members at The Church at Tuscaloosa. Their passion in the community is to serve and reach people with the love of Christ!

Vanessa Lockhart comes to Advantage Realty from Houston, Texas. She was employed by Ryland Homes for eight years. As a new home sales representative, she was a top producer, as well as recipient of the distinguished honor of National Customer Service Representative Award. She currently holds reciprocal real estate licenses in both Texas and Alabama.

Vanessa attended Liberty Bible College and is a graduate from the University of Houston. She holds a bachelors degree in Communications. Originally from Gordo, Alabama, she has returned to her home and resides there with her husband, Tom, and puppy “Boomer.” She has two devoted sons, Jason and Joshua Lockhart; both now reside in Alabama also.

Vanessa is an active member of her church, serving both national and international missions. She has had the honor of teaching Evangelism Explosion in Russia, Honduras, and Mexico. She was a part of Mission Moscow that helped establish churches in Russia after the fall of communism. Her passions include personal evangelism, reading and cultivating lasting relationships through her real estate career.