Fayette County High School graduate and University of Georgia alumni Kate Bailey (Kathryn) was recently named a “Top Gun,” for the second consecutive year, by the Georgia Association of Mortgage Brokers (GAMB).  

Each year, the GAMB honors ten mortgage firms and 25 loan officers that qualify for the designation through production volume in first and second residential loans made in the State of Georgia and secured by Georgia residential real estate.  This year’s roster of “Top Guns” includes loans that originated and closed from January 1 – December 31, 2008.
At age 28, Bailey is among the youngest recipients of the title; she also works for one of the top ten firms, Silverton Mortgage, in Atlanta.   Having always been a high achiever, according to family and friends, Bailey says that she feels more motivated to excel when there is a challenge.

“It’s a great honor, and I hope to move up the list in years to come,” she commented after the Awards Reception recently held at the Cobb Galleria Centre.  During most of her first year with Silverton, Bailey was also attending Georgia State University and serving in volunteer positions.

Now in her fourth year of working within the mortgage industry, Bailey was formerly an award-winning sales associate for Wolf Camera (now Ritz) while attending high school, UGA and GSU.  One of few vacations she allowed herself was spent taking younger sister, Lara, on a week-long cruise won for top sales volume at the Lenox Square store.  The following year, she visited Scotland, and “fell in love with it!” she says.

Bailey is the granddaughter of Fayetteville resident Ernest M. Hart (founder of Hart Well Pump Service).  Her mother, Deborah, is married to Barry Belyeu, a professional chimney sweep (Chimney Chasers). Bailey’s dad, Ron Bailey, is employed by Charter Communications and resides in Newnan with his wife, Wanda.  Kate Bailey now resides in Decatur.

The complete annual list of Top Guns was recently published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle as well as The Georgia Mortgage Press.