Our expertise in real estate and forestry in both North Carolina and southern Virginia enables us to give our clients the best possible suite of resources.
Meet the Family
We have years of experience brokering and managing land, farms and timber in the North Carolina and southern Virginia area.
John Shipley is the Co-founder of The Shipley Co. and a trusted leader in North Carolina and southern Virginia’s real estate and timber markets. A Winston-Salem native, John earned his B.S. in Forest Management from North Carolina State University in 2006. He began his career as a timber and land buyer for a large hardwood sawmill before becoming a North Carolina Registered Forester and licensed Consulting Forester, later launching Shipley Forest Management Services.
In 2009, John earned his North Carolina real estate license and joined Carolina Forestry, Inc., where he spent 14 successful years brokering and managing land and timber. His extensive background in forestry has given him a deep understanding of the unique complexities that come with selling and managing land—insight that goes far beyond what the average residential agent can offer.
Recognizing a growing need for specialized land expertise, John co-founded The Shipley Co. to better serve clients seeking knowledgeable representation in land and timber transactions. His work is rooted in a commitment to helping people find land they love—while also offering practical guidance on how to manage and enjoy it for generations to come.
John and his wife, Meg, split their time between Winston-Salem and Pinnacle, North Carolina, where they raise their two children, Grant and Anna.
Contact: john@theshipleyco.com
John Shipley
Co-founder of The Shipley Co. and a proud Texas native, Meg has called Winston-Salem home since 2009. She holds degrees from both The University of Texas at Austin and Wake Forest University School of Law. After practicing law for seven years, Meg made a career shift to pursue her passion for real estate.
As a residential Realtor®, she has consistently been recognized as a top performer. Meg oversees all of The Shipley Co.’s residential home listings and collaborates closely with the team on properties that involve both acreage and residential components. Her background in law and real estate provides clients with a distinct advantage throughout every stage of the buying and selling process.
In addition to her work, Meg is actively involved in her community and regularly volunteers her time at her children’s school. She and her husband John split their time between Winston-Salem and Pinnacle, NC, along with their children, Grant and Anna.
Contact: meg@theshipleyco.com
Meg Shipley
Brian is a seasoned consulting forester and licensed real estate broker with The Shipley Co., specializing in the management and marketing of timber and timberland assets for both public and private landowners. With over two decades of experience across the Southern U.S., New York, and Washington, Brian brings deep expertise in timberland management, land acquisition and sales, forest product supply chains, and sustainable silviculture practices.
Prior to joining The Shipley Co., Brian served as President of Universal Timber Services, LLC (2012–2020), where he oversaw timberland operations across the U.S. South and led numerous acquisition and disposition initiatives. Before that, he was Business Development Manager – Timber for Rayonier (2008–2012), where he was responsible for expanding new timber business across the company’s 2.4 million-acre U.S. Forest Resources division.
Earlier in his career, Brian was Vice President of Marketing and Sales for TimberStar Southwest Managers, LLC (2006–2008), playing a key role in operations until the company’s successful sale. His broad-based experience spans timber marketing, forest product exporting, wood-to-energy initiatives, and integrated forest management strategies.
Brian holds a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from North Carolina State University. His work is rooted in a passion for forests and a commitment to maximizing both economic and environmental value for landowners.
Contact: brian@theshipleyco.com
Brian Absher
Dudley was raised in Sanford, North Carolina, and holds a B.S. from North Carolina State University and a Master of Public Administration from UNC Chapel Hill. He began his career in public service as Assistant County Manager in Pender County, later serving as County Manager in both Granville and Forsyth Counties. Over his 30-year career in local government—18 of those years dedicated to this community—Dudley developed a deep understanding of land use, property management, and public policy.
Licensed as a real estate broker since the early 1980s, Dudley has applied his expertise to both personal investment and public service. His experience includes managing, acquiring, and disposing of real property in coordination with elected officials. He brings valuable insight into land use planning, mass appraisal, and tax deferral programs.
Upon retiring from local government in 2024, Dudley joined The Shipley Co., drawn by their strong reputation in real estate and forestry and their family-focused values. His passion for land and community continues to drive him in helping clients navigate transactions involving farms, land, and investment properties.
Dudley and his wife, Kathy, live on their small farm in Germanton, where they grow blueberries, manage timber, raise small livestock, and steward their family land. Together, they enjoy the outdoors, nature, family time, and supporting animal rescue efforts. They are proud parents of four adult children.
Contact: dudley@theshipleyco.com
Dudley Watts
Dudley Watts
Melodie Muuss is a dedicated real estate professional, community volunteer, and lifelong learner whose journey from the mountains of Colorado to the heart of North Carolina has shaped her both personally and professionally.
Born and raised in Colorado, Melodie developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors, community connection, and hard work. Her life took a new and exciting turn when she moved to North Carolina in connection with a job opportunity with Wake Forest University men’s soccer team. It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with Winston-Salem and the broader Piedmont Triad area, drawn to its blend of Southern charm, vibrant arts culture, and welcoming neighborhoods.
Melodie has worked in the real estate industry for over a decade, earning a reputation for integrity, insight, and tireless dedication to her clients. She combines a sharp business sense with a warm, personal approach, helping families and individuals navigate the real estate market with confidence and ease. Whether working with first-time buyers or seasoned investors, Melodie is known for her knowledge, professionalism, and commitment to results.
Beyond her career, Melodie is a passionate community advocate and proud mother of two. She is deeply involved in her children’s education, regularly volunteering at their school and attending their sporting events and artistic performances. A strong supporter of local arts, she believes in nurturing creativity both at home and in the community.
A self-described “perpetual learner,” Melodie can often be found listening to podcasts on real estate investing, market trends, and current events. She’s always seeking new ways to grow, stay informed, and better serve her clients and community.
Whether she’s negotiating a deal, volunteering in a classroom, or cheering from the sidelines, Melodie brings heart, drive, and purpose to everything she does.
Contact: melodie@theshipleyco.com
Melodie Muuss
Kristen Cartwright
Working with John has by far been our best realtor experience; he works hard for his clients.
We love working with John! He not only found our dream property, he helped us secure it through the county auction process for a great price. John is well connected and pointed us to a wonderful contractor to build our home. When the time came to sell... they were spot on with the improvements and staging needed to truly show off the property.
Jack Elmore
John has an extensive knowledge in both real estate and timber/land management.
He has managed several projects for both sides of my family. His professionalism and attention to detail gave me the confidence he was acting as a genuine advocate for the outcome of our project and transaction.
Your land is in good hands.
When you list with The Shipley Co., you receive unparalleled expertise and a personalized experience designed to get you the very best deal for your land and home.