We take the hassle out of settlements
Real estate settlement doesn’t have to be stressful. Our team of experts will answer every question, walk you through the process and help get every “t” crossed and every “i” dotted. Plus, we can meet you at your choice of location.
That’s our promise of personal attention and service.
Meet our professionals
Margie Jurkuta
Owner/President
Loves working through a challenge
Since opening day in 2007, Margie has helped clients close on the home they’ve always wanted. Not only does she serve as the company President, she also serves as Closing Manager and is a Licensed Title Insurance Underwriter. She takes pride in working through challenging deals while helping clients understand the entire process. Margie is a great manager and a real problem solver.
Margie was born in Elkins, WV and lived in Virginia Beach, VA before settling in Powhatan in 1997. After graduating from Powhatan High School, she attended the University of Richmond, and graduated with a degree in Paralegal Studies. She’s the happy mom of three children, one with special needs. They all keep her busy with daily life and activities. In her spare time, she enjoys making creative desserts, traveling and spending time with her husband, Jeff.
Beth Lewis
Real Estate Closer
Doing a Good Job Energizes Her
A native of Chesterfield, Beth has been working with real estate closings for over 30 years. She loves working with clients and enjoys interacting with the PRES team. At Powhatan Real Estate Settlements, she is one of our professionals who make sure that each “i” is dotted and each “t” is crossed.
After graduation from Clover Hill High School, Beth attended Braxton School of Business and took several real estate law courses at John Tyler Community College. She and her husband have lived in both Chesterfield and Powhatan, and they love taking day trips and mini-vacations, especially to sample different wineries or enjoy the river. Beth loves the water and finds peace whenever it’s nearby.
Michelle Lee
Closing Agent
Committed to Excellent Client Relations
Michelle joined the real estate industry in 2017 and has never looked back. Her customer relations skills and an “aim to please” attitude make her the perfect person to handle all types of closings here at Powhatan Real Estate Settlements. Having a satisfied client is Michelle’s favorite part of the job. Seeing the happy faces of her clients when the transaction is complete warms her heart.
Michelle was born in Henrico County and grew up in Bon Air where she graduated from James River High School. Michelle has three children and loves the beach. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and creating bottle cap art.
Denise J. Brooks
Title Examiner / Search Coordinator
Enjoys learning something new
Denise is a Certified Title Examiner (VCTE) with over 33 years of experience in researching commercial and residential real estate titles. Denise also serves as our Search Coordinator and loves the fact that there’s something new to do and learn every day. She enjoys working with our examiners and helping take the mystery out of settlements and title searches for our clients. Denise has been with us since 2010 and delivers personal service with each transaction.
Denise was born in Portsmouth, Virginia and graduated from Dinwiddie County high school. She attended Virginia Tech where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. When Denise isn’t helping our clients, she enjoys renovating her 138 year old historic home with her husband Jack and enjoys spending time with her eight grandchildren: Ajia, Granger, Kenzie, Blakely, Emilia, Tennessee, Zayvier and Brooks! Denise currently resides in North Carolina.
Carmen Allen
Licensed Title Insurance Underwriter
Attention to detail is her passion
Carmen started her career back in 1998 as a back-title researcher with a Title Company here in Richmond. Since then, she has worked her way through the title industry to become a Licensed Title Insurance Underwriter in 2004.
Being extremely thorough and paying attention to every detail is Carmen’s “claim to fame”. Her ultimate goal and desired end result is to provide a clear and insurable title so that our clients can close on the home or property of their dreams.
Carmen loves to spend time with family and friends. She enjoys the summer and spending time on the lake, ocean or the “rivah”. Carmen’s favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because it’s a time to be thankful for all we have and being with family. As you can tell family is the most important aspect of life for Carmen. She has three children and has been married to her husband Neal since 2010. Carmen is also the proud mom to her fur baby, a chocolate toy poodle named Candy.
Carmen hails from good old Powhatan and graduated from Powhatan High School class of 1998.
Joy A. Matkowsky
Operations Coordinator
Finds her bliss in helping others.
Joy has been in the Administrative and Customer Service field since 1986 with her first job as a pediatric dental assistant in high school. Since then, she has worked as a front desk/scheduling coordinator for a local medical practice and as the office manager for her husband’s busy dental practice. Joy also owned and operated her own business for 10 years, as Certified Massage Therapist. In addition, she spent time teaching massage therapy, anatomy/physiology and medical terminology at the local massage school.
Joy started in this industry in 2019 but is learning quickly and handling anything that’s thrown her way. She loves working with the team and helping whenever and wherever she can to make things run smoothly.
Joy was born in Panama, South America but grew up in Vienna, VA. She graduated from Elon University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Her hobbies include volunteering with the General Federation of Women's Clubs through Powhatan Junior Woman's Club and The Woman's Club of Powhatan County, reading and scrapbooking.