Meet The Team

Chris Shumate

NMLS # 627360

Senior Loan Officer
Sales Manager

Born and raised in Georgia, Chris Shumate is a proud graduate of Georgia Southern University, where his strong work ethic and commitment to helping others began to take shape. Just a year after college, Chris entered the mortgage lending field — a decision that has since led to an extraordinary 25-year career helping families achieve their dream of homeownership.

Today, Chris is a Senior Mortgage Loan Officer at Fairway Home Mortgage, where he and his wife Georgianna lead The Shumate Team. (They were high school sweethearts and clearly work well together!) Together, they serve clients throughout Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina, offering competitive rates, customized loan programs, and fast, reliable closings backed by Fairway’s powerful national resources.

Over the course of his career, Chris has helped more than 3,500 families secure financing for their homes. His consistent dedication and performance have earned him national and state recognition, including being named among the Top 1% Mortgage Originators in America for six consecutive years and receiving the Mortgage Bankers Association of Georgia’s Gold Award of Excellence for 21 consecutive years.

Known for his ability to simplify complex financial topics, Chris has a gift for making clients feel confident and informed throughout the mortgage process — one agent even dubbed him the “Wikipedia of mortgages.” Whether working with first-time homebuyers, families purchasing a second home, or clients refinancing, Chris takes the time to educate and empower every borrower. His thoughtful approach, industry knowledge, and transparent communication create a seamless, stress-free lending experience from start to finish.

Clients consistently describe Chris and his team as professional, responsive, and deeply caring:

“Chris is a genius and made my mortgage possible! I don’t believe I’d be sitting in my home today had I chosen another lender.” — Randy M.
“Chris was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly responsive. He went above and beyond to secure the best possible loan terms and made the entire experience stress-free.” — Helen H.
“The entire staff at Fairway exemplifies outstanding customer service. Chris sets the standard with exceptional leadership, making what can be a stressful process feel seamless.” — A. Sentrum
“They have never let me down. So knowledgeable and caring. I’ve used them personally and refer them to all my clients.” — Karen P.

Chris is a Certified Military Mortgage Specialist™, proudly serving those who serve our nation. He actively supports several organizations, including the Wounded Warrior Project, Operation One Voice, and the American Warrior Initiative, which works to inspire and empower communities to give back to military families and veterans.

In addition to his military expertise, Chris is also a Real Estate Collaboration Specialist – Divorce (RCS-D™), trained to assist clients navigating mortgage decisions during divorce with sensitivity, fairness, and professionalism.

Beyond his professional designations, Chris is an active member of the North Atlanta Metro Association of REALTORS®, the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, and serves on the North Gwinnett Schools Foundation Board. As a lifelong Georgian, he understands the nuances of the local housing market and works to create mortgage solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs.

Chris lives in Suwanee, Georgia, with his wife Georgianna and their son. When he’s not helping clients, he enjoys camping, boating, hiking and spending time with his family. To Chris, every loan represents more than a transaction — it’s an opportunity to build lasting relationships through trust, education, and service.

NMLS #627360. Licensed in Georgia (#43092), Alabama (#62689), Florida (#L031826), Tennessee (#123866), South Carolina (#MLO-627360), and North Carolina (#I-169956).

Georgianna Shumate

NMLS # 1193882

Loan Officer

Georgianna Shumate is a licensed Loan Officer Assistant and Marketing Coordinator at Fairway Home Mortgage. With nearly two decades of experience in the mortgage industry since 2005, she plays a vital role in supporting Chris throughout the loan process while also managing marketing initiatives and ensuring exceptional customer service.

Georgianna and her husband, Chris, have been married for 25 years and share one son, Ryan. Deeply committed to her community, Georgianna actively supports organizations such as the North Gwinnett Co-Op, The American Warrior Initiative, Fairway Cares, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors — camping, boating, hiking, running, and traveling with her family.

Rhonda Frankhouser

Loan Officer Assistant

Rhonda Frankhouser serves as a Loan Officer Assistant at Fairway Home Mortgage, bringing a strong background in client service and financial management to The Shumate Team. She began her mortgage industry career in 2019 after several years in healthcare management and as a licensed investment advisor.

Originally from Central California, Rhonda and her husband relocated to Georgia in 2018, where they have become proud members of the community. She actively supports several charitable organizations, including the Bristol Hospice Foundation, North Gwinnett Co-Op, and The American Warrior Initiative.

In her free time, Rhonda enjoys golfing, writing and publishing contemporary fiction, and spending time outdoors.