Lauren Chitwood, a native of Hillsville with deep ties to the community and experience as a successful small business owner, has been named Tourism Director for the Town of Hillsville (She will also serve as Hillsville Farmers Market Manager.)
No doubt, Chitwood is readily identified in her hometown as the daughter of Eddie Chitwood who taught at Carroll County High for 30 years and her mother, Sally, who worked in the Alleghany County, North Carolina school system for 30 years.
She is a 2001 graduate of CCHS, a 2003 grad of Wytheville Community College with a business administration degree, and a 2004 graduate of Radford University with a bachelor’s in marketing. Following graduation, she returned to Hillsville and started her first business, “Country Formals & Gifts,” which from year one, enjoyed record sales through 2012.
“I have always loved my hometown and been a huge advocate for business owners and events in our community. My family has always farmed, mainly horses,” said Chitwood. “We have three farms which I now take care of with the help of my family, Ryder (11-years old) and Andrew. I am extremely family oriented and always like to express that I have two of the most supportive parents. I am very blessed in life.”
In addition to enjoying hunting and fishing, Ryder volunteers at Mountain View Veterinary Office two afternoons weekly and was recently elected to be an FFA officer at Carroll Middle School. Andrew works at Volvo as well as supporting and accompanying his mother in many adventures.
Chitwood has also served on several boards and committees in the area and is the leader of the “Pipsqueaks 4H Poultry Club” with 22 participating in the group. She and her mother started the “Lawn of Hope” in Hillsville to raise money for The American Cancer Society in 2014. Chitwood is also a supporter of the Carroll County Agricultural Fair and is a member of that committee with her family regularly volunteering to help with the annual event. She serves on the Farm Bureau Women’s Committee and is a past president and Paul Harris Fellow for the Hillsville Rotary Club.
“I am so excited about this new adventure as Hillsville’s Farmers Market Manager and Tourism Director. I have been doing a lot of reading and participating in webinars to learn all I can. We are also off to a good start for the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP). I am eager to listen and learn from each of you as vendors who have been so faithful to our market,” Chitwood said. “As a patron of the market over the years and an entrepreneur, I realize it takes hard work and perseverance for what you do, and I am so thankful you do it! As vendors, you ARE the Town of Hillsville Market. As your new manager, I will work tirelessly to foster an environment of continuity from the past markets as well as help institute your ideas for continued improvement to an already great market. I look forward to meeting each of you, getting to know you and working with you.”
David Broyles may be reached at 276-779-4013 or on “X” at CarrollNewsDave
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