so much to me. It’s the most rewarding thing you can ask for in this industry,” she admitted humbly.
A piece of advice she’d like to leave with other agents: “Don’t get too comfortable. I don’t think it matters if you are a solo agent or a broker with a team. Life is motion, and so is the real estate market.”
Just as she’s forged a strong path in real estate, Mariia is also paving new ones in her personal life—through family, philanthropy, and future projects that inspire her.
When not working, she finds herself surrounded by Legos, tractors, and Hot Wheels cars, courtesy of her four-year-old son, Leon. “I love traveling with him,” she shared. “The very first time he went overseas, he was only one and a half years old
when we visited my family in Barcelona.”
Yoga by day. Feeding the fish by night. Whether watching the sunset from the dock or feeding wandering turtles and birds in the yard at dawn, Mariia fills her time with things that rejuvenate and bring her joy.
Mariia aspires to make a meaningful impact on the community as well. She dreams of writing a children’s book and opening a playground for disabled children. Her charitable contributions, like supporting organizations helping kids with muscular dystrophy, further demonstrate what is closest to her heart.
For questions or comments, contact Mariia at (228) 229-3962 or mariiacomeau@gmail.com
Facsimile: (228) 432-5539
Website: www.pmp.org
Email: pmp@pmp.org
Professionally, she hopes to build a team of like-minded people, as she believes that success in real estate requires collaboration and support.
Whether crossing continents, building her business, or serving the community, Mariia Comeau exemplifies what it means to be always in motion —chasing growth, connection, and purpose at every turn.
MEREDITH FAUST MCDERMOTT 1
Trusted Guidance JUDY
ATHERTON
For Judy Atherton, the homes may be part of the business, but it’s the backdrop. The people—the buyers, sellers, investors, and communities—are what fuel her passion. As Managing Broker with eXp Realty on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Judy has built her career on relationships, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of personal growth.
Judy laughs when asked how long she’s been in real estate. “Since Jesus was a baby,” she quips, before clarifying that she earned her broker’s license in 2000 after several years as an agent. But her path into the industry was anything but ordinary.
Before real estate, Judy worked in banking, where two of her clients— Cheryl High of Cheryl High Realty (one of the largest and most successful independent brokerages on the MS Gulf Coast pre Katrina) and Cheryl’s sister Tara High—introduced her to the possibilities of the business. The High sisters were successful brokers and investors, and Judy often handled loans and lines of credit for them at the bank. When Tara planned to attend one of the first seminars given by Craig Proctor and Bob Proctor in Toronto, Tara’s assistant had to cancel at the last minute. In those pre-9/11 days, Judy was able to use the plane ticket, originally intending only to sightsee. Instead, she joined Tara inside the seminar.
BY DAVE DANIELSON
“I was just blown away by what I saw and the people that I heard talking,” Judy recalls. The experience sparked something in her. Within months, she had earned her license, joined Tara’s team, and set off on what would become a decades-long career.
Real Estate Is About People
While many enter the field attracted to beautiful homes and architecture, Judy quickly discovered that real estate is really about the human stories attached
PHOTOS BY OUTLAW PHOTOGRAPHY
to each property. “A lot of people get into real estate because they like looking at houses and they think they’ll like the business. But it’s really not about the real estate. It’s about the people who come with the houses, or the people who want to be in the houses. That’s what makes it different.”
That people-first approach has kept Judy engaged in her work for nearly three decades. She admits there are parts she doesn’t love—“I don’t enjoy the paperwork,” she says with a smile— but the rewards of helping families, investors, and first-time buyers far outweigh the mundane tasks.
“It provides a decent income for anybody willing to put in the work,” she explains, “but more than that, it’s an avenue for personal growth. Real estate has always given me that opportunity.”
Always Learning, Always Growing
Judy has long leaned into training and professional development, from the early days of Howard Brinton’s Star Power program to years with Keller Williams Realty, and now with eXp Realty. She values the mentorship and coaching built into the company’s culture, particularly through Success Coaching, part of eXp World Holdings.
“I’ve really enjoyed that,” Judy says. “It’s just been a really good fit for me.”
Her commitment to growth isn’t just personal—it extends to mentoring the next generation of agents. She believes success in real estate doesn’t hinge on personality type. “I’ve seen very shy, introverted people be extremely successful. I’ve seen extroverted people struggle, and vice versa. The difference is doing the fundamentals.”
For new agents, Judy emphasizes the importance of something deceptively simple: picking up the phone. “When people start, they often have the hardest time letting their friends and family know they’re in business and asking for their business. The phone suddenly feels like it weighs a million pounds. But you have to talk to people about your real
Everyone wants more time—you can’t buy more hours in your day. You have to figure out how to make it work.”
estate business. That’s one of the pieces of the foundation.”
Through eXp’s mentor program, she helps agents establish those fundamentals, giving them the tools to build a business that reflects their own strengths and personality.
Embracing the Future
One of the industry’s biggest changes in recent years has been the rise of artificial intelligence—a development Judy views with equal parts caution and excitement. She has earned a certification through the Krem Institute of Artificial Intelligence and actively uses AI tools in her business.
For questions or comments, contact Judy at (228) 596-1818 judy.atherton@ exprealty.com
“Real estate agents are often distracted by bright, shiny objects,” she says. “AI can be one of those. Some people get completely enamored and let it take over, while others resist it altogether. But if used well, AI helps me hone in on specific clients and, most importantly, saves me time and makes me more efficient. Everyone wants more time—you can’t buy more hours in your day. You have to figure out how to make it work.”
Life Beyond Real Estate
When Judy steps away from her role as Managing Broker, you’ll likely find her outdoors. She and her husband, Lance Cleveland, enjoy life on the water with their boat, and at home with their mini Australian shepherds, Brizzie (the “blueeyed beauty”) and Ash (the brown-eyed baby, aka, the sofa eater). Judy is also a devoted pickleball enthusiast, a hobby she affectionately calls an “addiction.”
Advice That Sticks
Asked what advice she would leave for those entering the business, Judy circles back to the people side of real estate. “At the end of the day, real estate isn’t about houses, it’s about people. True success comes to agents who listen deeply, keep learning, and can create rhythms that are sustainable. Longevity in this business means honoring both life and work, protecting yourself and your family as carefully as you protect your clients and their deals. To me, that’s what lasting success looks like.”
SCOTT POE
Poe Group at eXp Realty
BY REBECCA WILSON
STRONGER TOGETHER
Pillars of Service
Whether advocating for others, building a business, or guiding agents and clients, Scott Poe has always approached his work with one goal in mind: helping others succeed.
Even at just 16, Scott’s pioneering spirit shone through. As a union steward at a major retail store—serving his customers, employer, and fellow employees—he possessed a boldness and initiative rare for someone his age.
Building on that early momentum, Scott continued developing his skills through higher education and a wide-ranging career.
After attending college for two years in law enforcement, he gained experience in sales, marketing, and business management, eventually launching WOW Day Spa—the first of its kind in Picayune, MS. In doing so, Scott not only created new jobs during a time of economic uncertainty but also attracted clients from across the United States, including California and New York.
Guided by that philosophy, Scott recognized a need within his own family. “The economy was hurting our salon business, so I needed to find another way to provide for my family,” he shared. Working for a cable company at the time, Scott began looking ahead to his next venture.
“While trying to figure out what we were going to do, my wife strongly encouraged me to go to school and get my real estate license,” Scott shared. “She has always been my rock and my guiding force,” he added.
“It’s all about helping people in this life any way we can,” Scott stated. “We grow stronger together.”
That perspective isn’t just professional—it’s deeply personal. Scott cherishes time with his wife, Pepper, and their five children—Anastasia, Juliet, Chloe, Elsa, and Peter Scott. His faith keeps him grounded through weekly Catholic Mass, while his hobbies—playing Magic: The Gathering and traveling to Southeast Asia or any vacation where his phone doesn’t work—add fun and adventure to his days.
Strength in Numbers
Despite being new to the industry, Scott’s impact has been immediate—achieving success that many agents take years to reach—proving that dedication and vision can accelerate results.
“You have to be in the market all the time to truly understand what’s going on,” Scott explained. “When you’re dealing with people’s lives and dreams, it’s nothing to take lightly,” he added.
Since entering the industry in 2023, Scott has quickly risen from a brand-new agent to Broker Associate, leading the Poe Group—a thriving team of more than 20 agents.
“This isn’t a hobby for us—it’s a full-time commitment,” said Scott when referring to his team. From the initial search to the closing table, the Poe Group makes their clients’ dreams their own—a responsibility they take very seriously.
Under Scott’s leadership, the Poe Group has consistently delivered impressive results. While previously operating under Century 21, they completed 177 transactions totaling nearly $98 million in 2024. That same year, Scott personally closed 122 transactions worth nearly $30 million—and he’s on track to exceed that by the end of 2025.
Such impressive production earned him the highest level Centurion award offered, placing him among the top producers worldwide within the Century 21 network.
For Scott, these achievements are more than just numbers— they embody his personal definition of success: “hard work and helping people achieve their goals.” To him, one of the most rewarding parts of real estate is seeing his clients’ dreams of homeownership become reality.
That same dedication to service also shapes how Scott leads the Poe Group. Unlike a traditional brokerage model, he’s built a collaborative structure designed to give his agents maximum value for every dollar they invest in the team—helping them grow both personally and professionally.
“I love helping people—whether that includes helping my clients find their dream homes or helping my agents increase their income to better support their families,” he said proudly.
As his vision for agent support grew, Scott transitioned from Century 21 to eXp Realty—giving his agents the advantage of keeping more of their earnings while also accessing revenue share, health insurance, and stock ownership opportunities.
Building for Tomorrow
Looking ahead, Scott’s sights are set on continued growth—not just for himself, but for those around him.
To rising agents, his advice is simple yet powerful: “Remain consistent. Never give up, keep pushing forward, and working hard.”
That same advice has helped Scott and the Poe Group earn the trust of their clients, who frequently commend their responsiveness, professionalism, and dedication to making
the home-buying and selling process smooth and rewarding. It has also opened doors to new opportunities, such as Scott’s recognition as realtor.com’s preferred partner in the area, providing exclusive leads across multiple zip codes.
Rather than viewing this as a personal privilege, Scott sees it as a means to better serve his clients while amplifying the impact of his team.
“I plan to scale the team over 30 agents before the end of the year and hope to pass the $100 million mark,” he shared. “Expanding the team into Alabama is another goal I hope to accomplish by 2026.”
With a focus on collaboration, service, and shared success, Scott Poe exemplifies what it truly means to be stronger together.
“It’s all about helping people in this life any way we can.
