About Core

Our Story

In 2018, Junior and his wife, Vickie, took the leap of faith and followed their passion for creating amazing homes. They launched Core Homes with this vision, and they have been driving us forward ever since.

Our homes are built with an engineer’s eye for going the extra mile and handcrafted attention to detail. We never settle. When buying or building your new home, you shouldn’t have to either.

Our Mission

At Core Homes, it is our mission to build exceptional homes, outstanding communities, and trusted relationships. We strive to be Chattanooga’s best option for new home construction.

We continue to grow. We are in more communities, and we make more lifestyle-driven homes. We seek to be a positive steward of Chattanooga’s great natural beauty and charm.

Junior McGaha

Founder / Owner

After a long and successful career in IT, Junior brought his engineer’s eye for detail and problem-solving to the world of homebuilding. What started as a personal hobby quickly evolved into a full-time passion, leading to the founding of Core Homes in 2018.

Today, Junior leads every project with the same technical discipline and commitment to excellence that defined his IT work. His approach blends thoughtful design, high-quality craftsmanship, and a focus on delivering homes with long-lasting value and integrity.

Outside of work, Junior enjoys time with his family and grandkids, often escaping to the mountains or the beach for well-earned retreats.

At Core Homes, Junior and his team are dedicated to building homes that reflect each client’s vision—with care, precision, and pride.

Donovan Reifinger

Business Development Manager

Donovan and his family moved from Colorado to Chattanooga, TN in 2020. This included his wife, Amanda, and twins, Veronica and Weston.

Donovan has spent his entire career in the home building industry and brings over 20 years of experience to our team. He oversees and consults on many aspects of our business including sales, marketing, product development, community, and land development as well as construction. Donovan also spearheads cultivating top-notch trade partner relationships.

Both of his kiddos are active in sports, so most days are spent at softball, baseball, football, or basketball games and practices. His family also loves to return to Colorado occasionally for skiing vacations.



Jenn Smith

Production Manager

Jenn entered the construction industry 20 years ago in Westhampton Beach, NY. She began her career in land surveying and high-end residential construction. Jenn found her niche in property management and expediting permits, so much so that she owned her own business doing just that.

She and her husband, Mike, have two children who live in New York and West Virginia. So, of course, she loves to travel to visit them. When she can, she also loves visiting Europe. When she isn’t on the road or on a plane, you can find her playing a mean game of pickleball making dill balls and dink shots.

Donelle McMasters

Bookkeeper

As an Indiana native, Donelle has lived in Chattanooga, TN for over 50 years. For the last 12 years, she has been keeping the books straight for home building and interior design companies. She has even been able to dabble in interior design over the years.

Donelle has three sons and eight grandchildren who live in Marietta, GA and other parts of Northwest Tennessee. When she isn’t on the road visiting relatives and spoiling grandchildren, she loves to go out with friends, read books, and take scenic hikes.

Chad Fox

Project Manager

A lifelong native of McDonald, TN, Chad has been in the construction industry for 15 years. Before he joined Core Homes full-time, he owned Fox Construction and was a key trade partner with Junior on all of Junior’s early jobs. Chad was a Core Homes person before there was a Core Homes!

In addition to being an outstanding builder, Chad is our go-to guy when we need home show booths, St. Jude Dream Home dog houses, or 5k awards made! He’s a real team player!

Chad and his wife, Jessica, have three children, Jaina, Parker and Samuel. In his spare time, Chad loves to build furniture. In fact, he built most of the furniture in his home!

Boomer

Mascot

Boomer is the grand fur baby to Junior and Vickie. For Boomer, life is simple. In his early years, Boomer was focused on being a rambunctious younger brother to Cecil, his somewhat tolerant cat sibling.

Then fame came calling and he became the go-to doggo model talent for Core Homes. Since then, Boomer has become a star in his own Boomer Says feature on Instagram. He has also been featured in many lifestyle photo shoots and is top dog when he visits the Design Center.

Fame has showered him with gigantic chew bones and new toys, especially from the gals at the title company. His agent says he is available for autographs upon request.