Jeff Morris,
President.
Jeff is the founder of Morris Auction Group located in Memphis, Tennessee and has a twenty-six year career in the real estate business. After graduating from business school at UT, he started his real estate career managing condominiums and office properties in Memphis and Jackson, Tennessee. His life working in real estate includes development of apartments and office buildings, buying and selling hotel properties, managing shopping centers and industrial properties and the construction of new homes.
Jeff started in the real estate auction business in 2000. Having been involved in every aspect of a very prominent real estate auction company, his experience includes over 300 separate auctions that includes over 1,000 separate properties that were auctioned. The properties that were auctioned run the gamut of property types from shopping centers, hotels, large tracts of land with thousands of acres, farm land, timber tracts, cattle farms, residential homes, apartments, golf courses and resort properties. He believes that the auction business is in its infancy and expects the growth of the auctions of real estate over the next decade to be phenomenal.
Jeff graduated from Christian Brothers High School and the University of Tennessee at Martin. He is licensed as an auctioneer and a real estate broker and is a graduate of the World Wide College of Auctioneering, located in Mason City, Iowa, the #1 auctioneering school in the United States, a member of the National Auctioneers Association, a member and board member of the Tennessee Auctioneers Association. In his community he is a graduate of Leadership Memphis and past member of the boards of Senior Services, Special Olympics and the YMCA. He is also licensed in the states of Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
Bill Caller, Sales Associate.
As a Commercial Sales
Specialist, Bill brings over 23 years of sales, marketing and
management experience in the logistics industry prior to
entering the real estate industry in 2005. Bill has been able
to utilize most of his extensive training and experiences from
the private sector to be the catalyst for commercial real
estate. Bill started his career in Memphis, TN in 1987 and
stayed until 1992. After living in the Northeast for 4 years as
a National Accounts Specialist, he and his family relocated to
the Jacksonville, FL metro area for 10 years before moving back
to Memphis in 2006. Bill entered the Real Estate Auction
industry in 2007 after being exposed to an auction and a Buyers
Seminar. “ In regards to Real Estate, I like working with a
process that is smooth, simple and not subject to opinions” says
Bill. “ If the Seller is ready, willing and able, the market
will determine the outcome. My role is to be the facilitator
and the Project Manager for my clients (the sellers). In order
to have a successful sale, I have to work diligently and have a
good understanding of what is going on in the marketplace”.
Bill has been married for 17 years to his lovely wife Lynn. He
has one child, Cameron who is 14 and attends Briarcrest
Christian School. Bill enjoys running, golf, judging BBQ
contests and spending time with his family at their Arkansas
lake house.
Derrick Echols, Internet Sales Director.
Derrick
graduated from Whitehaven High School in 1992 and decided to
serve his country by joining the United States Air Force where
he achieved the rank of Senior Airman. Upon leaving the armed
forces in 1997, Derrick has devoted his time and un-ending
energy to every aspect of the Real Estate industry. As a Real
Estate Agent, he began his career investing in and managing
single-family residential properties throughout Memphis. Over
time, his experience grew to include extensive knowledge in Real
Estate wholesaling, retail, owner financing investment
strategies and now, Real Estate Auctions. Since his initial days in the Memphis Real Estate market,
Derrick has not only taken several classes in Real Estate
Investment but taught them as well. In addition, Derrick
participated as key speaker in weekly seminars, several
one-on-one joint ventures and even co-hosted a show on air here
in Memphis in 2000. Derrick is very passionate about ensuring
that Morris Auction Group clients understand this industry and
all the options the Auction process brings to the table. As the
lead developer of MorrisAuctionExpress.com, Derrick and the
Morris Auction Group Team always stay one step ahead in the
industry!
Bill Giannini, Sales Director.
Bill is a native
Tennessean, and lifelong Shelby County resident. He is a
seasoned entrepreneur who founded Giannini Foods, which he sold
in 2006, and Little Italy Pizza, Pasta & Subs, located in
Midtown Memphis, which he still owns. In addition to his
experience in food service, Bill is a licensed Realtor who was
an agent with Crye-Leike and another auction company prior to
joining the Morris team. Active in the community, Bill plays the
guitar for the Praise & Worship Band at his church. He also is
very involved in local politics.
Bill Morris,
Business Development.
Bill is the father of our founder and serves as a business advisor, consultant and as the head of business development for the company. Bill is the former Mayor of Shelby County from 1976 to 1994 and its Sheriff from 1964 to 1970. He was first elected Mayor in 1978 and was re-elected in 1982, 1986, and 1990, receiving an average of 83 percent of the vote. His terms as Mayor have been characterized by his emphasis on economic development and is credited with playing a key role in the economic growth recorded in Memphis in the 80’s and 90’s, including the creation of more than 135,000 new jobs, development of a $1.5 billion tourism industry, the targeting of distribution as a growth industry, and recruitment of national corporate offices.
From 1964 to 1970, he served three terms as Shelby County's youngest sheriff, and was responsible for maintaining custody of James Earl Ray following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bill Morris retired as Mayor of Shelby County in September, 1994 after serving 16 years in that position. His desire to build a stronger Memphis continues today through his tireless efforts with various civic organizations.
He currently serves his alma mater, the University of Memphis, as a member the President’s Board of Visitors, Chairman of the Ambassador’s Club, member of Tiger Scholarship Board, and the Advisory Board for the Fogelman School of Business. He is extremely involved with Lindenwood Christian Church as past Chairman of the Board of the Church and as a Life Elder. Non-profit agencies also benefit from his experience. Bill donates time to the National Advisory Board for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and to the Memphis Group for St. Jude. His concern for a better Memphis is evidenced by his service on the Board of the Area Agency on Aging, the Board of Trustees for Lifeblood and the YES Foundation's Board of Directors.
Born in Amory, Mississippi, he moved to Memphis to attend Memphis State University and Southern Law School. He has been married to his wife, Ann, for 54 years and they have three sons, one daughter, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Valerie Morris,
Public Relations.
Born in Brazil and raised in North Carolina, Valerie is the wife
of Jeff and has called Memphis home for more than 18 years. She is currently the Regional
Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs for Harrah's Entertainment,
Tunica. In this position she is responsible for all internal communications, media relations, external communications, community affairs, and charitable contributions and donations for the Memphis Corporate Office, as well as the Grand, Horseshoe and Sheraton Casinos in Tunica. She is also the author of Flavorful Wild Game and delectable desserts cookbook, released 2002. Valerie holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration.
Dodson Roberts, Sales Associate.
Dodson is a long time Memphian. He lived on farm near
Earle, Arkansas until moving to Memphis in 1957. He attended and
graduated from East High School 1961 then attended Washington &
Lee University and ultimately graduated from University of
Memphis. Dodson started his career at Plough Inc. ( now Schering
Plough) in the International Division and achieved the position
of Area Manager Far East living in Manila, Philippines, and Hong
Kong. He moved from Plough in 1974 to pursue his own
business and worked as Export Manager for small companies in the
Mid South. He later joined NSA(National Safety Associates) as
Vice President International and built business in Canada
and Europe. Ten years ago, he moved into the real estate
business selling farm land and hunting property in Arkansas.
Dodson was introduced into real estate auctions for another
auction company and recently joined Morris Auction Group. He
has a grown son and daughter.s
Gregory Stotts, Sales
Associate / Apprentice Auctioneer.
Gregory has been in the real
estate business since 1999 and holds an affiliate brokers
license from the state of Tennessee. In addition to real estate
education and experiences he has taken continuing education
classes in real estate appraising and mortgage banking. Gregory
is a member and adheres to the code of ethics for the Memphis
Area Association of Realtors and the National Auctioneers
Association. He is a graduate of The Nashville Auction School
and The Professional Ringman’s Institute. By learning every
aspect of the real estate and auction industry shows his
commitment and dedication to the business and his clients. His
passion is to listen, consult and advise his clients on the real
estate auction solution through his knowledge, tools, and the
resources that have been developed over time to best meet his
client’s real estate needs.
Erin Wells, Marketing Director.
Erin Wells graduated from
the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a BFA in Graphic
Design and Marketing in 1994. Upon graduating, she returned to
her native Memphis to put her skills to work designing and
developing local media campaigns for area architectural firms.
From the concept to the design to the implementation, Erin
managed cross-media campaigns that continually led to success.
As a result, she was given the opportunity to work on a national
level developing new product lines and campaigns in the gourmet
food gifting industry.Erin joined the Real Estate Auction industry in 2005. Since that
time, she has honed her skill set to specialize in the
fast-paced world of Real Estate Auction campaigns. Erin’s
knowledge of campaign budget development, marketing material
design, cross-media purchasing and placement makes her an
integral part of Morris Auction Group. Erin is married with one very football oriented 2-year old
son (GO VOLS!) and enjoys painting children’s murals, designing
for local charities, attempting to cook and gaming.
Don Wolfe, Sales Associate.
Born and raised
in Savannah TN, Don attended college in Jackson TN and entered
the family restaurant business. He has successfully owned and
operated restaurants in the West Tennessee area for over 30
years. He has two daughters, Deidre’ and Leslie both whom are
educators. Don moved to Memphis in 2000 with his job in the
food service industry. With a desire to provide an excellent
level of service and his interest in real estate Don obtained
his real estate license and changed careers. As a real estate
professional Don began his career with Crye-Lyke here in
Memphis. His love of the auction process prompted him to join a
very prominent real estate auction company where he served as an
event coordinator, marketing director and sale associate. Don
brings with him an extensive auction background and knowledge of
selling real estate by the auction method. He has had experience
in all types of property sales from residential and investment
homes, shopping centers, apartment complexes, commercial
buildings, warehouses, office buildings as well as large tracts
of land. Don’s commitment to service is evident with all his
clients as he consults and advises on the real estate auction
solution. Licensed in the states of Arkansas, Mississippi and
Tennessee Don is a member of, and adheres to the code of ethics
for, the Memphis Area Association of Realtors, Tennessee
Association of Realtors and the National Association of
Realtors. He continues to expand his knowledge in real estate by
completing continuing education classes.