Meet Our Team

Raymond Christopher Choate

Construction experience includes 23 years of working in the field including new construction and remodeling of commercial buildings, multi-family homes and single family homes, from minor repairs to complete ground up new construction.

In 2001 I started Choate Custom Homes where we specialized in building new custom homes in the North Texas market. In 2005, I became a licensed insurance adjuster and in 2006 I became a licensed insurance agent. Since 2005 I have been heavily involved in adjusting, inspecting, photographing and estimating damaged properties throughout the United States. I have inspected and adjusted properties at various levels of the market for both property owners and insurance carriers. I have received extensive training from Allstate and Pilot Catastrophe Services in analyzing wind, hail and water losses. I have inspected and adjusted well over 3500 properties during my career documenting wind, hail, and water damage and the effects of that damage on the various building materials.

My extensive construction and insurance background allows me to easily navigate through the insurance claim and repair process to properly address each loss on its own merits.  This experience allows me to seamlessly participate in insurance claim consulting and adjustment as well as the appraisal process, for both my corporate clients as well as individuals.

Gary Bates

Gary brings with him years of experience in many facets of the industry. He has vast experience in general construction. He is a general adjuster, appraiser, mediator, and umpire. He writes estimates and scopes losses in over twenty-six different trades. His experience includes catastrophe, complex claims, farm, fire, flood, hurricane, wind, mold, tornado and much more, for both commercial and residential claims. He is certified in multiple states as well as NFIP Flood Certified. Gary lives in the Hill Country with his wife and loves spending his free time outdoors and spoiling his grandchildren.

Emily Darnell

Emily has been with Axiom since 2019 and serves as the Director of Operations. With a background in the roofing industry, she brings valuable insight to the field side of the business as well as the internal workings of the office. She is a licensed Texas Public Adjuster and a licensed Insurance Agent, making her well-equipped to lead in a fast-paced, detail-driven environment.

As a mother of three boys, Emily is no stranger to juggling responsibilities — a skill that translates seamlessly into her leadership role at Axiom. Her work ethic and deep understanding of the industry make her an essential part of the team’s continued success.

Kara Farris

Kara joined the Axiom team in September 2024. She came to us after working 11 years for Legends Hospitality at AT&T Stadium (Home of the Dallas Cowboys) in the sports & entertainment hospitality industry. She has her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Stephen F. Austin State University (2013) and her master’s degree in Business Administration & Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University (2019).

She is now a licensed Public Adjuster and is excited to start receiving files. Kara is married to her high school sweetheart, Eric Farris, and they have a beautiful daughter, Lyla Sue who was born in October 2022. She is also the daughter-in-law to Axiom CEO/Owner, Ray Choate.

Kaylee Choate

Kaylee joined Axiom in 2019, initially working part-time while still in high school. Over the years, she remained committed to the company while earning her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a double major in Management and Marketing from Texas Tech University, her father’s alma mater. She impressively completed her college education in just two and a half years, balancing school, work, and additional jobs along the way.

Today, Kaylee serves as Axiom’s Social Media and Marketing Manager and holds her Texas Public Adjuster’s license. She is passionate about growing the company’s brand and digital presence and loves getting to work alongside her father, Axiom CEO Ray Choate, to help bring his business goals to life.

Josh Crook

Josh joined Axiom in February 2025 as a licensed Texas Public Adjuster. Before transitioning into the insurance field, he spent several years working in the oil fields of West Texas, where he developed a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for hands-on, results-driven labor.

Now stepping into the world of public adjusting, Josh brings a grounded, hardworking approach to his role. He is also the stepson of Axiom CEO Ray Choate and looks forward to contributing to the family business with integrity and determination.