Jennifer Shumate, moved to Cooke County in the spring of 2019 with her husband, Josh, their three daughters, and three dogs. They quickly fell in love with Gainesville and the strong sense of community that makes the area so special. Shortly after arriving, Jennifer began seeking opportunities to get involved and connect with the community.
In January 2022, Jennifer began her career with the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce. With more than 25 years of experience in event planning, she brings a strong background in civic engagement, municipal partnerships, and community event coordination.
Jennifer completed the Advanced Chamber Management Program, a three-year professional development program through the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE) Center for Chamber of Commerce Excellence. She is also currently enrolled in the Institute for Organization Management (IOM) program through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a four-year program she expects to complete in 2027.
Jennifer graduated from North Central Texas College in December 2021 and proudly calls herself an alumna. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Communications and Public Administration from Texas State University and hopes to graduate in the fall of 2026.
In addition to her work at the Chamber, Jennifer serves as President of the United Way of Cooke County, Secretary on the Board of Directors for the North Texas Chamber Executives and serves as a Director for the North Texas Medical Center Foundation. Jennifer also serves on the Board of Directors for the newly formed Gainesville-Cooke County Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys traveling, spending quality time with her family, and volunteering throughout the community. She is deeply passionate about improving Cooke County and is committed to making a positive difference in Gainesville and the surrounding area. Jennifer believes strongly in the power of community engagement and works every day to help build a brighter future for local businesses and residents.
Jennifer can be reached at (940) 665-2831 or by email at jshumate@gainesvillecofc.com.