4 minute read
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT - JAMES RENFROE
JAMES RENFROE - MOTIVATED BY SERVING OTHERS
Written by Susan Marquez
Advertisement
Photography by Abe Draper Photography
The son of a Methodist minister, James Renfroe learned from an early age that helping people is something he cares deeply about. James grew up in the small town of Calhoun, near West Monroe, in northern Louisiana. He attended college at the University of New Orleans before moving to Jackson to attend the Mississippi College School of Law. “I never left,” he says. James fell in love with the area and decided to plant roots here. He went into practice with Roy Perilloux, who did general litigation and real estate law. “He took over as state president for a title insurance company, and I was their state counsel,” James says. “We still kept our law practice.” A little over eight years ago, Roy retired from the active practice of law, and James has been running the practice ever since. James also serves as a lawyer for Trustmark and for BancorpSouth.
“I probably got into real estate law because that’s what Roy was doing, but it fit with what my goals were, which was to make a living while helping people.” James says he has wanted to be a lawyer since he was twelve years old. “I’ve been blessed with a great career, doing what I always wanted to do.” James says he has learned that REALTORS® also help people, and that is why he enjoys working with them. “Buying a home, or selling a home, is one of the largest transactions people make during their lifetimes,” he says. “It can also be the most stressful.”
James works to eliminate that stress by creating an environment that welcomes clients into a comfortable, friendly place. He makes the process as easy as possible, and he works to make sure clients leave smiling and happy. “We don’t just close houses, we close homes. We work with all sorts of people at all stages in life, including single moms who want to provide a home for their children, young couples who are just starting out, parents who want to move to a better school district for their children. Homeownership is the number one way to promote wealth in the United States. We are proud to be a part of the process.” James says he has a hard-working staff of twelve who are dedicated to their work. “We have a diverse staff, and I’m proud of that.” Clients never leave a closing empty-handed. In addition to the keys to their new home, they get a box of Girl Scout cookies in the spring and summer, and in the fall and winter, they get a bar of World’s Finest Chocolate. “We purchase the cookies and chocolate from area schools and organizations, so in addition to giving something at the closing, we are supporting our community. Besides, it will keep folks coming back to us – a happy customer is a repeat customer!”
James treasures his relationships with the REALTORS® he works with. He was named the 2018 Central Mississippi Real Estate Association Affiliate of the Year, then named Affiliate of the Year statewide. “I serve on the Best Practices Committee to help establish guidelines, produce how-to videos and answer any questions and help any way I can.”
James resides in Madison with his wife, Olivia. They have two daughters. The oldest is a nurse in Tupelo and expecting her first child in November. The youngest is a mechanical engineering major at Mississippi State. “We are proud of both of the girls,” James says, “And we are looking forward to having our first grandchild!”
Growing up as the son of a Methodist minister has carried over into his life today. James serves as the vice president of Trustees of the Wesley Seminary. “I’m really proud of what they do,” he says. “We have more students there now than ever before.”
With little time for much more outside of work and home, James does find time to run and cycle. “I run or ride my bike every day,” he says. “I have run in many marathons. I train so I can be in the best shape possible, which helps me to best serve my clients.” After all, serving others is the thing that drives James in all he does.
