April 2022- Jacksonville Real Producers

rising star

MAURICE M U R P H Y

By Michelle Williamson

From Navy Lieutenant Commander to REALTOR®

When leaving the Navy after serving for 24 years throughout 25 countries and earning two degrees (a bachelor’s and a master’s), Lieutenant Commander Maurice Murphy knew he wanted his next job to offer flexibility. “I didn’t want a corporate job initially,” Maurice shares. “I wanted a job that didn’t require me to wake up at the same time every day. One where I called the shots and had limitless earning potential. Real estate gave me that.” So, in August 2019, Lieutenant Commander Murphy started a career as a REALTOR®. Now he’s achieving his civilian goals.

Speaking the Language

However, leaving the military doesn’t mean Maurice left his military family behind. No, today, he serves them in a different way. Many of his clients are veterans and active-duty military.

“I understand the sacrifice our military persons and their families make every day,” he says. Maurice lived the life of being in uniform. He and his family moved around quite a bit during his years of military service, so he understands the reality of our sailors’, soldiers’, and their families’ lives and their relocation needs.

So it’s not a surprise that most of his clients are relocating sailors, soldiers, and their families. Either they’re coming to the Jacksonville area or leaving the state or the country for their next assignment. “I speak the language,” he says.

Maurice knows the way of life of those in uniform, and he’s prepared to make their next move easier.

A Servant Leader

Maurice sees himself as a servant leader. In fact, he says being a servant leader is the most fulfilling aspect of his work. It’s his purpose. “I’m ready to go the extra mile for my

clients,” Maurice shares. He goes above and beyond a REALTOR’s® role. He does what is necessary; he’s even helped with expenses, like appraisal fees, to help clients. “Yes, I know REALTORS® shouldn’t do that,” he says. “But I’ve been in their shoes. It’s a relationship. These people sacrifice everything every day. They’re about to deploy… uproot their lives again.”

Maurice takes care of the details “they shouldn’t have to worry about,” to give them one less concern as they manage the stress of moving to another new place, often quickly, sometimes with little advance notice.

In addition to his experience as a sailor, when asked what sets him apart from other REALTORS®, he believes it’s his disciplined approach.

In addition to his military career, Maurice is proud of receiving a bachelor’s degree in logistics from Auburn University and a master’s degree in military operational art and science studies from the Air Command Staff College.

It’s an approach fueled by a bachelor’s degree in logistics from Auburn University and a master’s degree in Military Operational Art and Science Studies from the Air Command Staff College combined with a long, successful military career.

Making Jacksonville Home

Maurice and his wife, Annetter, and their two daughters, Ashlan (24) and Layla (19), have lived in Jacksonville off and on throughout his career. Ashlan was born while he was deployed, which was a pivotal moment in his life—being away “completely changed my mindset about how my family sacrificed so much for me during my career. Now I make sure to spend every moment possible with them. We love to go on family trips and enjoy the great local restaurants here in Northeast Florida,” he says.

While this sailor turned REALTOR® has traveled the globe–he has visited every continent except Australia–”I haven’t been to many cities in the U.S.,” he says. But he is working on adding new domestic trips to his calendar. Maurice and Annetter have visited San Diego and Las Vegas since his military career ended, and they plan to add more places soon.

"I understand the sacrifice our military persons and their families make every day." Maurice Murphy served 24 years in the United States Navy.

So, does he still wake up at the same time every day, like when he was in the military? “Well…yes. I try to get to the gym every morning,” he answers. Some habits live on, like discipline, fitness, and hard work, which have propelled him to the Rising Star spot this month.