Publisher’s Thoughts

JAN SOUTHERN CEO/Publisher Jan@JDelSURMarketing.com

TONYA PERRY Operations Manager Tonya@JDelSURMarketing.com

LAURA ZIELINSKI Design

NECOL RONDA Administrative Assistant

MEGAN GANCI Sales Assistant/Marketing

PENNY REDMOND Distribution

Pooler Magazine is proudly produced by:

135 Goshen Rd Ext., Suite 251, Rincon, GA 31326 (912) 295-5406 PoolerMagazine.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Write to us and tell us what you think. Pooler Magazine welcomes all letters to the editor. Please send all letters via email to Jan Southern at Jan@ JDelSURMarketing.com. Letters to the editor must have a phone number and name of contact. Phone numbers will not be published.

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS Pooler Magazine welcomes story ideas from our readers. If you have a story idea or photo essay you would like to share, please submit ideas and material by emailing Jan Southern at Jan@ JDelSURMarketing.com. Stories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things in the Pooler area will be considered.

CIRCULATION: Pooler Magazine is published bi-monthly and distributed to more than 250 locations throughout the area, as well as mailed to thousands of homes. The full magazine is available online at PoolerMagazine.com. Views expressed in editorial or advertising do not imply endorsement by J. DelSUR Marketing Group. Reproduction in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

VETERANS ISSUE

Amidst the pandemic in 2020, Pooler Magazine decided to switch up our issues and publish our first ever Military/First Responder issue. We were all on edge but likely feeling very grateful for the men and women protecting us, healing us and helping us feel safe during uncertain times.

Now one year later, our hearts feel even more gratitude for our military, veterans and first responders. I don’t know about you, but I know my respect for our veterans grows daily as does my admiration for the medical community who have been through so much this past year and a half.

Having respect for our military and veterans cannot be a partisan issue. We owe them all so much. Honoring our veterans is very dear to my heart because it is also close to home. My husband Morris is a retired Air Force Thunderbird and I have many other veterans I call family. Whether on the battlefield or in the air, the sacrifices military members make are often difficult to fathom.

I am so pleased to share just a few of the stories and images of those in the Pooler community that serve or have served our country, who heal the sick, or who dedicate their careers to helping others. It is one of the reasons I am proud to bring you Pooler Magazine.

Jan Southern

CEO/Publisher Pooler Magazine

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Check Out SOUTH GEORGIA PETS on p.35

Serving his country—and serving fellow veterans—is Ricky Eilerman’s passion and calling. After his service in the U.S. Army and as a first responder, Ricky chose a career in real estate, helping families buy and sell homes with integrity and honesty. Currently a realtor with Sherman & Hemstreet,

Ricky was recently named to the Top 20 Under 40 list for

Effingham County. Ricky is a Certified Military Relocation Specialist and utilizes his military experiences and real estate expertise to help others achieve their home ownership dreams. He understands where veterans are coming from and what they have been through. He says not all jobs are easy and not all jobs fall into the stereotype of the movies when it comes to the military. “I was in the 3rd ID, SGT in the 293rd MP Co. We went to the Pentagon, Afghanistan, and Iraq. We supported Stryker and the 2nd ID.,” says Ricky. He says he saw families and close friends stressed and torn apart because serving and returning home are not easy or simple transitions.

Upon leaving military service, veterans can be inundated with offers from ‘big box’ companies. Locally owned real estate companies and mortgage offices can do more for veterans than those big brand name companies who don’t see the client as an individual. The VA loan process need not be intimidating when you have an experienced local realtor and mortgage broker working with you. Ricky says it’s really a myth that VA loans are difficult. If you are in a multiple offer situation, he will fight for the veteran because most VA buyers are given more leniency in underwriting and the default rate is lower when it comes to veterans repaying their mortgage. Even when it comes to a tough underwriting situation, VA will usually side with the veteran in order to make the loan work.

Teamwork

Once a client chooses a home, Ricky works to achieve the best deal possible for the client because he doesn’t accept no as an answer. Together with his wife Ivy Eilerman, Branch Manager and Licensed Mortgage Advisor at Angel Oak Home Loans, they are able to help many clients close on a home when they have been told no elsewhere. Ivy, from a multi-generational Savannah family, has 20 years lending experience. Ivy says her team works with VA, FHA, USDA, Conventional, Jumbo, and even has in-house loan programs. They reside in Guyton with their children Caden, Grace and Cody. Ivy is an accomplished singer and songwriter and they both enjoy entertaining, gathering with friends, and playing guitar around a fire.

Being there for veterans is more than real estate to Ricky. “I would like to say that even if it’s not real estate related, I am here to help any veteran,” He says, “PTSD is real, and if you are suffering or have questions about help, I can help steer you in the right direction as others have helped me do the same. Reach out because I am here to help. “

Ivy Eilerman, Angel Oak Home Loans Branch Manager & Licensed Mortgage Advisor Office: 912.348.9481 Cell: 912.656.3524 ivy.eilerman@angeloakhomeloans.com Ricky Eilerman Office: 912-754-0786 Cell: 912-657-2957 rickysellsga@gmail.com www.rickysellsgeorgia.com