Meet the Team - Part 1: Derek Chitwood

 

Meet Derek Chitwood, the man behind the Peach State Pride grass-roots movement.

Hometown: "The Big Gun" Canon, GA
College: Georgia College & State University
Degree: Bachelor in History

Likes: I like the fall, hiking, college football, southern culture, flag football, woodworking, and agriculture.

Wouldn't you love college football if the blonde in the middle was your wife?

Meet one of Derek's favorite things... Kari Beth!

Kari Beth Chitwood

Book that moved me: Wild at Heart

What inspired me to do what I do: Peach State Pride is a manifestation of quite a few strong passions coming together within myself. I've always been extremely proud of where I come from; my family, my community, my county, my high school, the college I attended, teams I've been apart of, and of course the State of Georgia. I grew up picking peaches with my grandpa where I developed a strong appreciation for the fruit, agriculture as a whole, and our southern culture. And I've always had a strong desire to dream and create; to take something that doesn't exist and dream it to life. Peach State Pride allowed me, and still allows me, to do all of those things.

Chitwood Peach Orchard

Random fact about me: Ty Cobb was my great-grandfather's 1st cousin (my 4th) and apparently they didn't always see eye-to-eye which seems to have been a common theme for The Georgia Peach.

Ty Cobb

Superpower: Time Travel

Back to the Future

On the weekend I love: Hiking, playing flag football, watching college football, or just relaxing with my beautiful wife.

Peach State Pride Flag team at Valdosta KD's Shamrock Flag Football tournament

Who has been the biggest influence on your life? What lessons did they teach you? My grandpa, Virlyn 'V.F.' Chitwood has always been my hero. He just has an aura about him; a quiet and humble leader, always sharing knowledge, wisdom, and stories, and he's such a great teacher. He's self-motivated, stern and strong, yet has an extremely gentle spirit. I've been so blessed to spend my summers with him in the peach orchard; simply watching and listening to him. He's so genuinely passionate about peaches and I think being around a man like that, who truly lives his passion, had a very special impact on my life.

Virlyn 'V.F.' Chitwood at the Chitwood Peach Orchard in Canon, GA

Favorite TV Shows: Friday Night Lights, New Girl, The Andy Griffith Show, Revenge (wife got me hooked), and Family Feud with Steve Harvey