It seems so many of life’s important conversations happen on the back of a truck tailgate.  For McComb’s Rick Taylor, a forester and real estate broker by trade, a hot summer day in Southwest Mississippi was the setting for a question that changed his life, and the lives of many others. 

“Chris Hawley [of Mossy Oak Properties] and I were visiting before looking over a tract of land that Chris had listed.  He said ‘Rick, we are thinking about expanding the Mossy Oak Properties concept via a franchised-based network.  We want to partner with established land brokers.  What do you think about that idea,” recalls Taylor.  “Without hesitation I told him I was very interested.  I knew that the Mossy Oak brand was so trusted and recognized in my area that it could be a game changer for my business.  I also knew I probably didn’t want my local competitors to have that logo on their trucks,” laughed Taylor.

In September of 2002, Taylor and his wife, Tammy, became the first Mossy Oak Properties franchise owners, armed with little more than a trusted brand and a promise from Hawley that he would make good on their faith in the fledgling company. 

Fast forward 19 years, and the Taylors have enjoyed the fruits of their hard work and faith in that company, and are now passing the baton of ownership in their Mossy Oak Properties business to Brookhaven’s Hunter Posey, while remaining in the fold to help Posey with the transition, as well Rick continuing to serve his clients as a land specialist under Mossy Oak Properties-Posey Land Company. 

“Nineteen years ago, we were blessed with the opportunity to purchase a Mossy Oak Properties franchise,” said Taylor.  “It was the best business decision we ever made and has provided a tremendous opportunity to meet really wonderful people and help many folks along the way to achieve their goals of land ownership.   It’s time to pass the torch, and Hunter Posey with Posey Land Company will be a perfect fit to continue the tradition of Mossy Oak Properties in Southwest Mississippi.” 

Hawley, who today serves as the CEO/President of Mossy Oak Properties, said the transition is bittersweet.  “When Toxey [Haas, Creator of the Mossy Oak brand] and I first started Mossy Oak Properties, we could have never predicted the impact relationships such as ours with Rick and Tammy Taylor would have had on our lives.  The Taylors have been and always will be family to us, but they have picked an extremely deserving individual in Hunter Posey to carry their tradition forward. We cannot thank Rick and Tammy enough for what they have meant to us these past 19 years, and for leaving their legacy in great hands”

Posey added his excitement, saying, “To be able to carry forward the legacy of impeccable service and integrity in land brokerage that the Taylor’s built is a tremendous honor.  My roots are deep throughout South Mississippi, and I am confident that past and current clients of Mossy Oak Properties will recognize the same level of service they came to expect.  We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to building upon what Rick and Tammy forged over the past 19 years.”

For more information on Mossy Oak Properties-Posey Land Company, call 601-835-5070 or 601-597-9378 or email hposey@mossyoakproperties.com.