Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Austin.
Hi Christopher , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in a trailer park on Jacksonville’s westside, raised by a single mom who did everything she could to provide. She begged, borrowed, and sacrificed to make sure we had what we needed. Through it all, she always told me I could do better than she did—and more importantly, made sure I saw the people she wanted me to be like.
Service runs deep in my family. My grandfather was a retired Navy Commander, and my grandmother served as a W.A.V.E. in the Navy. They raised six kids who all carried that same spirit of service. My mom enlisted in the Air Force, two of my uncles enlisted in the Navy, one uncle went to college and became an officer retiring as an O-6 (Captain), and my two aunts married military men. With that kind of family background, I always knew I would serve.
Right out of high school, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. I must have done something right because they eventually sent me to the Naval Academy. A few injuries and four surgeries later—thanks in large part to the great game of rugby—I found myself back home in Jacksonville figuring out the next chapter.
After a few years bouncing from one sales job to another, I landed behind a desk at a mortgage company in 2009 and started learning how to become a loan officer. What started as a job quickly turned into a career.
Today, I’m a mortgage broker with the opportunity to lead and grow a VA-focused mortgage division across the country. It’s a full-circle moment—combining my background in the military with my passion for helping veterans and active duty service members navigate the home loan process.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Everyone runs into bumps in the road. Mine came in the form of injuries and multiple surgeries that changed the direction I thought my life would take. But looking back now, those bumps are exactly what led me to where I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been in the mortgage industry since 2009 and have worked in just about every corner of the business—from call centers to new construction lending to manufactured housing, and now as a mortgage broker. Those experiences have given me the knowledge and perspective to help a wide variety of clients navigate today’s mortgage and real estate environment. Every borrower’s story is different, and my job is to ask the right questions, understand the situation, and help guide them to the loan program that makes the most sense for their goals.
While I work with all types of buyers and homeowners, I always make it a priority to serve active duty service members and veterans. With my own military background, VA loans aren’t just another product to me—they’re a passion. Helping those who served our country use the benefits they earned is something that truly keeps me motivated in this business.
Outside of mortgages, I’m also deeply committed to supporting the veteran community in another way. I founded a nonprofit organization called Crew Served Inc, which focuses on raising money and awareness for local veteran organizations that are making a real impact. There are so many great groups doing important work for veterans, and our goal is to support and amplify those efforts.
Our biggest annual fundraiser is a charity golf tournament called Swings for Service, held every November. What started as a small idea has grown into an event that brings together veterans, business leaders, and members of the community for a day of golf, camaraderie, and giving back. This year will mark the 4th annual tournament, and each year we continue to grow—raising more funds and expanding our support for veteran-focused organizations across Northeast Florida.
At the end of the day, whether it’s helping a family buy a home or raising money to support those who served, my mission is simple: serve people, give back, and make a positive impact in the community that I’m proud to call home.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Jacksonville is such a diverse city and really gives you the opportunity to do just about anything you enjoy. I came back because it always felt like home and I knew firsthand what the city has to offer. If you’re into sports and the outdoors, the weather here makes it easy to be outside year-round. If culture and the arts are more your thing, Jacksonville has plenty of that as well. And if you love to travel, living in Florida gives you the chance to explore incredible places all across the state—many of which you never even knew existed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.christheloanguy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christheloanguy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christheloanguy
- Other: https://www.crewservedinc.com
