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Billie Arnett Marketing & Communications Manager

Billie is a proud alumna of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and a concentration in health disparities. Growing up just 20 minutes north of the Florida Keys, it is only natural that Billie enjoys being outdoors and taking time to watch the sun set. Before joining the team, she worked in sales, advertising, digital marketing and non-profit communications roles. With experience in industries such as real estate, healthcare, retail, and education she knows how to cater to a variety of audiences. Her research skills and dedication to detail make her valuable to our team.

Billie directs all of Columbia Timber Company and its sister company, United Country Real Estate Property and Auctions, marketing efforts. She fosters brand identity, engages clients through email marketing campaigns, provides website maintenance, creates direct mail marketing campaigns, manages all social media platforms, and writes website and newsletter content while directing advertising efforts. Billie assists with employee management and internal communications by leading recruitment efforts for both companies.

Billie believes that understanding others' needs is key in fostering meaningful relationships and producing results. She is equally results-driven as she is customer-oriented. She is constantly looking for new and creative ways to improve the lifestyles of others.

It is important to match marketing tools to a client’s individual goals. Execution and tracking what works allows her to strategize better. She adds a performance-tracking element to our team that considers the client’s future and the goals of both companies.

Stephen Burton Auctioneer/Assoc Broker

Steve Burton has been in the real estate and auction business for more than 30 years. Throughout his career, Burton has seen tremendous fluctuations in market value, tremendous changes in marketing strategy and the technology available for marketing! Burton learned early that in order to be the very best real estate and auctioneer professional, he needed to be on the cutting edge of market knowledge and technology options. This aids Burton's ability to serve his customers and clients. Burton has continued over these 30 years to take advantage of continuing education courses and seminars which have kept him abreast of the most up to date market knowledge and technology methods available.

Burton became a Georgia real estate Broker and licensed Auctioneer in 1983, a Florida Auctioneer in 1988 and a Florida real estate Broker in 1989. Burton became an Alabama real estate Broker and Auctioneer in 1998.  Throughout his career, Burton has held Broker and Auctioneer licenses in Tennessee, Kentucky, North and South Carolina, and Montana. Burton's goal was always to aid his customers in as many ways as he could. 

For more than 25 years Burton and his wife, Margie, owned and operated Burton Realty and Auction, Inc. located in Quitman, GA. In 2008 Burton was invited to join  United Country Real Estate in Dothan, AL to build and manage an auction division for that office. After almost five years of growing business and aiding customers with their needs, Burton decided to move his business back to GA due to his mother’s health. Burton has continued to be a licensed Broker and Auctioneer working in Georgia, Florida and Alabama, through United Country Real Estate.

Burton is excited to be an Associate Broker and Principal Auctioneer with the United Country Real Estate Property and Auctions team with company headquarters located in Gainesville, FL. The team members of this United Country office have diversified interest and knowledge in so many aspects of the real estate industry including:  farms, ranches, timber management and investment, residential and commercial properties among numerous others. With Burton's knowledge and experience in the Auction profession Burton is confident, that together, this United Country Real Estate Property and Auction team can offer their clients the “Best of the Best” in real estate marketing, both by traditional real estate and auction opportunities. 

Burton has always believed that being a part of a community meant giving back to that community. Burton has served on the Brooks County Board of Commissioners for two terms, on the Board of Trustees for Westbrook School for 20 years and the Board of Trustees for the Quitman United Methodist Church. In 2016 Burton was privileged to be appointed to the State of Georgia Board of Auctioneers by Governor Nathan Deal. 

“It gives me great pleasure to serve on this Board," said Burton. "It affords me the opportunity to give back to a profession that has given so much to me!”

Several of Burton’s friends have recently asked …”when are you going to retire”  his answer to them…”I’m not…I love helping people!

Mike Court Realtor

With nearly a decade of experience in land, right-of-way and mineral acquisition and sales, Mike Court brings plenty of expertise to the team.  During his time as the owner of MCC, LLC, Mike worked with numerous oil and gas clients on projects that included mineral sales and leases, right-of-way negotiations, title investigation, and negotiations with government, commercial and residential clients.

Mike also lends his real estate expertise to leverage his experience in land and mineral acquisition to support clients’ needs with their investment and real estate needs related to both timber and agriculture. Mike's desire to help land owners with their goals and objectives helps 

Prior to his work in land and mineral acquisition, he held positions in outside sales and management. Mike earned an undergraduate degree from Franklin College and a Master's degree from Middle Tennessee State University. His broad background demonstrates his ability for success and he looks forward to serving the community. 

Mike enjoys living in the Gainesville area with his wife and daughter. They enjoy spending their time outside exploring and enjoying the many activities Gainesville and Alachua County offer. 

Jib Davidson Certified Forester/Broker

In 1974, Jib moved from Sarasota to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida and received a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from the School of Forest Resources and Conservation in 1978. Furthering his education, Jib earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Real Estate from the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business in 1983. Since that time, Jib has attended numerous finance, taxation, and land management courses as continuing education has always been an important part of his working environment.

Jib began his professional career as a forester working for Georgia-Pacific Corporation in 1977. Initially, he worked in timber procurement, then transferred to land management where he managed 117,611 acres of timberland in Gulf Hammock, Fl.

In 1984, Jib founded a land management and forest consulting company in Gainesville, Florida, offering land acquisition and sales, timber appraisals, timber investment analysis, timber sales, reforestation, site preparation, timber taxation, and other land management services for private landowners, industry, and government. In 1989, Jib and Norman McRae were offered a timber dealership and co-founded Columbia Timber Company.

Jib currently specializes in land and forest finance, tax deferred 1031 exchanges, timber and land taxation, investment analysis, development permitting including wetlands delineation and mitigation plans, real estate marketing and acquisitions, and land management. He has been an adjunct instructor at the University of Florida's School of Forestry Resources and Conservation teaching a senior course in Forest management, and has taught many courses in land management and real estate finance at Santa Fe Community College's Community Education Program. Jib is a Florida licensed real estate broker, a SAF Certified Forester, a Master Logger, and he holds memberships in the Society of American Foresters, Florida Forestry Association, American Forest Institute Tree Farm Program, and the Forest Farmers Association.

On a personal note, Jib has been a Cub Scout Master, a Boy Scout leader and merit badge counselor, President of his homeowners association, an active member of the Gainesville Sail and Power Squadron and the Gulf Atlantic Yacht Club. Jib married his college sweetheart, Teresa, in 1978 and they have two boys.

Daniel Jerrels Auctioneer/Realtor

Daniel Jerrels is a licensed Auctioneer in Florida and Georgia he attended The World Wide College of Auctioneering in 2010. He was the Florida Auctioneers Association 2016 Rookie of the Year.

Daniel is also a licensed Real Estate Sales Associate in Florida. He is excited to be working with the team at United Country Real Estate Property & Auctions in Gainesville, Fl..

Daniel and his wife Kalyn have 3 beautiful children Caraline, Amelia, and Luke. When he isn’t working he enjoys spending time and attending church with his family.

Norman Mcrae Operations Forester/Realtor

Norman grew up in Lake City, Florida and received his Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from the School of Forest Resources and Conservation at the University of Florida in 1982. Since then, Norman has completed numerous forestry and land management courses to continue his education.

Beginning his forestry career with the Florida Division of Forestry, Norman was a Forest Ranger in Columbia County, and then quickly promoted to the Okaloosa County Forester. Within a year, he was promoted to the Madison County Forest Area Supervisor. While with the Division of Forestry, Norman received extensive training in forest management including fire management, land management plans, and landowner assistance.

In 1985, Norman left the Division of Forestry to work as a forest consultant and Gainesville branch manager for F&W Forestry Services. In this capacity, he performed land and timber appraisals, wrote and administered wildlife and land management plans, conducted timber sales and serviced North Florida landowner needs.

In 1987, Norman joined Jib Davidson as a Forester and Land Management Specialist performing timber appraisals, timber market analysis, authored and administered forest management plans, timber sales, reforestation, site preparation, growth and soil studies, timber and timberland acquisitions and sales, hardwood control, thinning, control burning, hunting lease evaluations and environmental assessments. In 1989, Norman and Jib were offered a timber dealership and co-founded Columbia Timber Company.

Today, Norman specializes in land acquisition and land sales, timber thinning and harvesting, reforestation and restoration, wetland delineation and permitting, along with general land consulting such as road building and administrating Federal cost-sharing for landowners. Norman is a Florida licensed real estate salesman, a Florida Forestry Association Master Logger, a State Certified Prescribed Burner, and he holds memberships in the Florida Forestry Association and the American Forest Institute Tree Farm Program.

Norman is an active member of his church, and he loves to hunt and fish. Norman has been married to his longtime girlfriend, Wanda, since 1989 and has two children.

Christy Morris Operations Manager

Christy is our Operations Manager and is an integral part of our management team. She oversees and analyzes the daily business processes to ensure quality service, productivity and efficiency for the entire staff.

She has over 25 years of experience in small business management with expertise in project coordination, real estate and customer service. Christy keeps our work moving forward with her attention to detail and thorough organizational skills. She makes sure that Columbia Timber and United Country run smoothly while providing personal attention to our staff, our clients and our contractors alike.

Christy is originally from Arkansas but has called Florida home for more than 35 years. She spent most of her time growing up along the southern east coast in Palm Beach County before venturing to North Central Florida and the Gainesville area. She is happily married and has two sons.