Laurie was born and raised in Peoria. She has been an Inside Sales Agent with the Adam Merrick Team since August of 2015 and has recently made the transition to a Buyer Specialist, providing her with immense knowledge about the real estate industry and market.
Before joining the team, she traveled the country buying gold, coins and antiques for the Treasure Hunter’s Roadshow.
Laurie has been happily married for 30 years. She and her husband, Tom have four children and eight grandchildren with number nine on the way. She very much enjoys spending her free time with her grandkids. Laurie also likes to garden and repurpose furniture!
Derek was born and raised in Central Illinois. Metamora has always been home for him where he graduated from Metamora High School. He is happy now to have started his family in Metamora with his wife Kayla and three kids, Dallas, Dakota, and Dawson. In his free time Derek enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time at his family’s farm. Real estate has always been a big interest of Derek’s. Combine that with his several years of retail customer service experience, he knew being an agent was the perfect fit for him. His favorite part of real estate is helping people negotiate the best deal to get them into their dream home. The AMRE team was a no brainer for Derek. Hands down the best agency in the area; Derek knows this first hand as he bought his home from the AMRE team and that sparked his interest in joining the team. Since coming on board, Derek has enjoyed the team atmosphere that the AMRE team has implemented.
Russell was born and raised in the Peoria area and graduated from East Peoria High School.
He always viewed owning investment properties as his retirement plan.
“I had a close personal friend join the Adam Merrick family. I kept hearing how amazing everyone was here, and how great being a real estate agent was. After hearing how great the job, and team was I had to check it out for myself.”
The most valuable thing Russell said he has learned as an agent so far is what you put in is what you get out in this career.
“I can't speak highly enough of the Adam Merrick Real Estate team. Everyone is so willing to help and mentor at any time, and treat each other like family. I can't see myself working anywhere else.”
Philicia was born and raised in Peoria, IL. She graduated from Peoria Notre Dame and received a B.A. in Communications and Physical Education from Monmouth College.
Philicia has spent the past 17 years working as a Social Worker, a teacher for Peoria Public Schools, and a Personal Trainer/Group Exercise Instructor/Beachbody Master Trainer.
Philicia's past experiences in helping others reach success has led her to the AMRE team, where helping others is the number one goal.
“I love working for the AMRE team, where expectations are set very high, but you never feel that you are on your own, reaching and exceeding those expectations! If you're ready to find your dream home, I'm ready to help!”
Stacy Schmitz born and raised in LaSalle, IL she attended Illinois Valley Community College before relocating to Peoria in June of 2000. She then attended ICC studying banking and finance. Her 20 year background in banking and mortgages is just an added bonus when it comes to servicing her clients. Obtaining her real estate license in 2019 she focuses on buyer clients and making the possibility of home ownership a reality. She loves the ins and outs of the buying process and guiding buyers through this process from start to finish. In her free time you can find her with family and friends, enjoying her son and his activities (a true football mom), or doing projects around the house. Transforming spaces is her passion.
Hi there, I’m Kaylee Jones, your friendly and dedicated Buyer’s Specialist here at the Adam Merrick Team. I've always had a genuine passion for assisting others and it's what led me to pursue a career in real estate.
Before obtaining my license, I had the privilege of working as an inside sales agent with Adam Merrick himself. This invaluable experience equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the real estate industry. Witnessing firsthand the joy that our team brings to our clients' faces and helping them turn their dreams into reality is what drives me each day.
Outside of work, you'll find me cherishing moments with my husband, two adorable children, and our beloved pup, Jax. We're all about quality family time, as my daughter fondly puts it “flamily time,” and we prioritize faith, family, and lending a helping hand to others.
I feel incredibly honored to be a part of this amazing team and I can't wait to embark on this exciting journey of finding your dream home together!
Hi Everybody! I’m Isabell Dunbar, a Buyer Specialist at Adam Merrick Real Estate. Born and raised in the small town of Chillicothe, I’ve been passionate about real estate for several years. My love for helping others stems from my previous experience in sales, and I’m dedicated to making your home-buying journey as smooth and stress-free as possible. I’ll be with you every step of the way, offering my expertise and support. When I’m not working, I enjoy attending art and painting classes and perfecting my favorite pasta dishes. I look forward to helping you find your dream home!
As a proud Metamora resident and former client of Adam Merrick Real Estate, I knew exactly where I belonged when I decided to become a real estate agent. Joining this team was a no-brainer. I'm passionate about helping others reach one of life’s biggest milestones—finding the right home—and I’m committed to working hard to make that dream a reality for you.
If you're thinking about buying or selling, let’s connect—I’d be honored to help guide you every step of the way.
I was born and raised in San Diego, California, and while I was in college, my family relocated to Peoria. After graduating in 2005, I joined them here and have called this area home ever since—aside from a five-year chapter in Chicago, where I gained valuable life and leadership experience.
It was in Chicago that I met my wife, Danielle. In 2017, we moved back to Peoria, IL to begin the next chapter of our lives together. That same year, we welcomed our twins, Jackson and Hailey, who are now thriving and getting ready to start 3rd grade!
Although I’m newer to the real estate industry, I bring with me over twenty years of experience in restaurant and retail management. My career has always centered around people—understanding their needs, delivering exceptional service, and helping them find what’s right for them. I’m excited to bring that same passion and customer-focused approach to real estate, guiding clients through one of life’s most important decisions: finding a place to call home.
I take pride in my strong work ethic, positive attitude, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Whether someone is buying their first home, moving to accommodate a growing family, or simply ready for a change, my goal is to ensure they feel supported, informed, and confident every step of the way.
Born and raised in Peoria, Illinois - I’m proud to serve the community I’ve always called home. As a dedicated real estate professional, I bring a fresh perspective, strong work ethic, and a client-first approach to every transaction. I’m passionate about helping individuals and families navigate one of life’s most significant decisions—finding the right home.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a growing family in need of more space, or an investor seeking the right opportunity, I take the time to listen, understand your goals, and deliver a personalized experience rooted in transparency, care, and integrity. My in-depth knowledge of the local market, strong negotiation skills, and focus on clear communication ensure that my clients feel informed and confident throughout every step of the process.
I’m committed to helping you avoid costly missteps, identify the right properties for your needs and budget, and ultimately secure the best possible outcome—whether it’s your first home, your next investment, or the dream space for your family’s next chapter, I am here to assist you every part of the way, even after your closing day!
