Affiliate Advisory Board
Broker
Shaw Realty
Senior Mortgage Banker
Flat Branch Home Loans
Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator
HomeBridge Financial
Sales Manager/VP
Homeside Financial
Broker/Owner
Mckinnies Realty
REALTOR®
Texas Real Estate Executives, V.I.P. Group
Certified: MASTER PROPERTY MANAGER & Owner/Broker/CEO
Navy to Navy Homes
Licensed Realtor in MD & VA
Taylor Properties/ Momentum Real Estate
Broker ,
Shaw Realty
Caleb Shaw
I am the son of a Texas Ranger(ret). I am the older brother of an Air Force Airman and a Navy SEAL. I am a veteran of the Air Force. My mission has changed from serving and protecting this great nation to helping people own a piece of it. As the owner and broker of Shaw Realty, I am able to help people buy or sell their homes, helping to feel that pride of ownership, or relief of selling.
Through Homes for Heroes, I am blessed to be able to grow my company through giving. I am able to serve and help, but also show my gratitude by giving directly from my heart and commission to heroes. I am part of a company that puts heroes first and works hard to help them. The gratitude and giving extends beyond just real estate. I give to heroes to help them and show gratitude, but truth be told, it helps me.
Senior Mortgage Banker ,
Flat Branch Home Loans
Emily Machetta
Homes for Heroes is an amazing benefit program that is very close to my heart! I am a police officer’s sister, as well as a Military niece, sister, and granddaughter. In my past, I have been a Kindergarten Teacher, as well as worked in the Medical field as an EMT and Nurse Technician. I am now a Senior Mortgage Banker with Flat Branch Home Loans, specializing in Native American Home Loan and working with local Heroes in my community. I truly enjoy working with first time home buyers to educate them on the home buying process and support them in their journey. Thanking and Giving Back to local hero organizations with the support and partnership from Homes for Heroes throughout my community not only allows me to Thank and Support these Hero Organizations but allows me to serve, educate, and thank these Heroes throughout their home buying journey. I am so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful organization with incredible people doing amazing things for our Hero Community who truly deserve it.
Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator ,
HomeBridge Financial
Gianni Cerretani
Since 2003, Gianni Cerretani has offered a personalized experience for his clients, making him one of the most sought-after Mortgage Loan Originators in the Greater Atlanta metro area. Gianni prides himself in understanding the ins and outs of the mortgage industry and using outside-the-box techniques to provide financial solutions to help his clients reach their homeownership goals. Gianni graduated from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Business Entrepreneurship. After college, Gianni took his sharp business acumen to First National Bank, where he quickly became the regional sales manager for their East Coast division overseeing 30 Loan Officers. Now at Homebridge, Gianni is a top-ranked Mortgage Loan Originator and focuses on helping homebuyers secure their next home.
Gianni dedicates his off-time helping charitable organizations such as the USO, Hope Atlanta, Skip Wells Foundation, and many other Veteran-related organizations. He has a great deal of respect for those that wear the uniform and serve our country. Gianni is also a top lender with the Homes for Heroes organization, which helps provide special financing for Military, Firefighters, EMS, Law Enforcement, Teachers, and Healthcare Professionals.
Sales Manager/VP ,
Homeside Financial
Jamie Harrington
In 2011 during what seemed like the never ending Great Recession, I was facing a difficult decision as to whether my career would survive. Times were hard in our area of North Carolina but I loved what I was doing and I loved the people in my community. However, it was difficult to see light at the end of the tunnel. After nearly 20 years in the industry, I couldn’t see myself doing anything other than helping people have a home of their own. Then someone told me about this program called Homes for Heroes®. I was curious so I joined the program. I had no idea that it would change my life and restore my faith in my career and the opportunities for us in this great country that’s unlike any other place on earth.
Now 9 years later and over 500 hero families served, I can’t imagine not being a part of this program and having an opportunity to give back to those that risk their lives and time with their families for us. I’m grateful for their spouses, their children and other family members that sacrifice so these heroes can give their time to serve others. The energy, enthusiasm and gratitude that are gifted to me by our heroes, inspires me to work hard every day to find just one more hero family that might need our help. The heroes that are served through this program have given me the fire that I was missing to continue doing what I do. I’ll forever be grateful.
Broker/Owner ,
Mckinnies Realty
Jim McKinnies
If it wasn’t for an off duty firefighter my Dad would not be alive today. My father had a massive heart attack on a golf course and thankfully a off duty firefighter was in the clubhouse. The firefighter was rushed to where my Dad was located and began working. Upon his arrival, My Dad wasn’t breathing and was receiving CPR from my Uncle (His Brother) Tim. The skill, training and calmness allowed the HERO firefighter to use an AED devise to resuscitate my Dad. From there, my Dad received the very best care from EMS workers, Nurses and Doctors. This event changed my life. Following this event, my Uncle and I were in search of a way to say, “Thank you” to that firefighter and other community heroes. We found Homes for Heroes. Homes for Heroes was a perfect way for us to tangibility help other heroes, just like that firefighter that saved my Dad’s life. Every Hero we honor, takes us back to why we started. I’m forever grateful.
REALTOR® ,
Texas Real Estate Executives, V.I.P. Group
Kim Roark
My “why” journey began with a very special teacher, Mrs. Thornton, who in third grade gave me extra special attention even when it was apparent I wasn’t the teacher’s favorite. I liked to talk. a lot LOL. I say a journey because as I look back over life, there were many Heroes who impacted my life. I grew up in a small town with Sheppard AFB close by. Half of my class each year was 50% military. It’s no secret that this small town girl lived vicariously through their many adventures living all over the world. The second email I ever received from Homes for Heroes included a photo of a good looking fireman, hey, that caught my attention. My husband was an active firefighter and I was a “flame”. After 23 years on the department it is only natural that I would want to love on this Hero sector as well. Not many know it but I was a “want-a-be” Angie Dickinson. I really thought I would grow up to be a policewoman. That didn’t happen but it doesn’t lessen the love and admiration I have for these men and women in uniform. Lastly, my niece is a nurse, the first in our family. She is amazing and her love for others goes beyond anything I have every experienced. I now share that Homes for Heroes actually helped me to find the “heart” of my business. I can not imagine life or my business without Heroes. I am grateful, thankful and blessed to serve them all.
Certified: MASTER PROPERTY MANAGER & Owner/Broker/CEO ,
Navy to Navy Homes
Mario Gonzalez
I served in the US Navy for 24 years. Service is in my blood! I was 17 years old when I raised my hand and swore an oath to “support and defend” and even give my life in support of this great nation.
Through the years, I have had several friends pay the “ultimate price on the altar of freedom” (Abraham Lincoln’s words). It was a teacher in high school who put me on this path and was a father figure to me until he went to heaven. My sister was a nurse and one of my closest friends was a police officer. So upon my entry into real estate, I wanted to form a company that gave back to those who serve and sacrifice for our community and nation every day. I did that for years before we ever heard about Homes for Heroes. Once we were introduced…it was a natural fit and I have never looked back.
I wake up every day with a passion for helping others in any way I can. It is just who I am!
Licensed Realtor in MD & VA ,
Taylor Properties/ Momentum Real Estate
Sandy Patterson
I first heard about the Homes for Heroes Program back in 2014, when my husband and I were stationed in Virginia Beach, VA. As a newer Real Estate Agent at the time, I was looking for a way to set myself apart and make a real difference in the lives of others. I had spent 20 years of my working career in the field of Marketing/Advertising and did not feel, that what I was doing made a real difference in the lives of others. I decided, as I started on this new career path, I wanted to find a way to make a difference, even if it was just in a small way to help others.
My Broker at the time knew I wanted to find a way to give back and connected me with a Real Estate in our office that is an affiliate of The Homes for Heroes Program. After I connected with her and heard about this amazing program, I thought this is what I have
been looking for and my WAY to give back. As a Military Spouse and Witness to the extraordinary Heroics of our local EMS, I am humbled by the sacrifices our Heroes make every day. Our Heroes not only risk their lives serving our country and local communities, but they place the concerns for others before their own. All our Heroes (Military, Firefighters, EMS, Teachers, Healthcare Workers) each make their own individual sacrifices and give back to others to make our communities a better and safer place to live. As I look back after almost nine years as an Affiliate with the Homes for Heroes Program, I feel blessed and honored to be a part of this amazing program. Words cannot describe what it feels like when you give back to those who serve, you really need to experience it for yourself, but if I had to put it into words your heart will sing. Thank you to all our Heroes for your hard work and your daily sacrifices. You truly are amazing and blessed individuals and I admire each one of you for your service. GOD BLESS OUR HEROES~
