Early Life and Foundations (1961–1980)

·
May 3, 1961: Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, as Clark “Chip” Durpo Jr., son of Wilma (a schoolteacher, architect, and now at 92 years young, she continues as a book writer) and Clark Durpo Sr. (a real estate speculator and residential/commercial contractor). Clark Sr.’s influence instilled in Chip lifelong expertise in development, risk assessment, and market timing.

·
1960s–1970s: Raised in Covington and Social Circle, Georgia, at his parents’ second home at Lake Burton, where he gained practical exposure to Mountain Life, and Atlanta’s expanding suburbs.

·
Around 1970: In the 4th grade, Chip started his first venture, selling candy in between classes. Chip was only 9 to 10 years old.

·
1977 (Age 16): Earned a private pilot’s license, demonstrating early discipline and mastery of complex systems.

·
Feb, 1981: My grandfather and great uncle purchased 4 condos in Sky Valley GA. My grandmother sold their condos in 1986. We continued to use my great uncle’s condos until 1996.

Marriage, Family, and Early Career (1981–1989)

·
1981: Married Melanie Durpo, November 21, 1981 (celebrating 45 years together by 2026).

·
1981: Founded Durpo Enterprises, focusing on residential and commercial construction in Covington/Conyers. While building homes, Chip assisted his father in constructing Stoneway Plaza Shopping Center in Conyers, Georgia.

·
1983: Launched one of the earliest long-distance telephone companies, following the post-AT&T breakup and deregulation—a telephone service similar to MCI and Sprint.

·
1989: We welcomed our daughter, Kelly Durpo, “the best day of our lives—our baby girl arrived.” As a side note: Kelly first visit to Sky Valley was only 6 days after she was born.

Expansion into Agriculture and E-Commerce (1990–2002)

·
1990s (until 1997): Continued Durpo Enterprises construction during the housing boom before a strategic exit. During this period, a tornado removed the roof from Stoneway Plaza Shopping Center (exact date unknown), further diminishing his father’s interest in the property. Chip repaired the center and quickly introduced new tenants, including a sports bar and a Japanese hibachi steakhouse.

·
1997: Built one of Atlanta’s first AMP Smart House™ homes, featured on CNN’s Science & Technology Magazine—a pioneering introduction to home automation.

·
1996: Co-founded Valley Creek Farm with his father, a 150-acre farm at Lake Oconee.

·
1998: Started a Black Angus/Gelbvieh seed stock program with advanced embryo transplants, designed to develop highly marbled beef.

·
Early 2000s: Launched ClubCarUSA.com / GolfCartUSA.com, an early e-commerce venture refurbishing and selling used golf carts nationwide from Valley Creek Farm.

·
2003: Sold Stoneway Plaza, as Launching Pad to Bigger and Better Ventures!

·
2003: Acquired and transformed the former 125,000 sq. ft., 30-acre Chipman-Union Mill in Greensboro, Georgia, near Lake Oconee. This strategic move allowed for rapid national expansion through ClubCarUSA.com / GolfCartUSA.com. As Chip’s focus shifted to Florida operations, this regional adaptation facilitated business growth until its eventual sale.

Florida Ventures and Peak Operations (2003–2014)

·
2003: Purchased Olde Sanibel Shoppes on Sanibel Island, marking Chip’s first major Florida commercial venture.

·
August 13, 2004: Hurricane Charley (Category 4, landfall near Cayo Costa) struck with 150 mph winds. Olde Sanibel Shoppes survived intact due to the storm’s fast forward speed, shrinking eyewall, and receding tides—a fortunate resilience that preserved the asset.

·
2005: Sold Olde Sanibel Shoppes and acquired/redeveloped Bay Beach Golf Club into Fort Myers Beach Golf Club (the only course directly on Fort Myers Beach).

·
May 2006: Opened Chip’s Sanibel Steakhouse, which earned national acclaim as one of America’s finest steakhouses.

·
May 2009: Melanie and I purchased our home in Sky Valley Aug 27, 2009, which had a 3 state view from Alex Mountain.

·
2000s–2014: We continued to operate our Florida Businesses, while maintaining second home ties to Sky Valley, Georgia. During this time, Kelly attended Valdosta State University.

Sold Florida Assets, Semi-Retirement, and Brokerage Pivot (2015–2021)

·
2015: We sold all Florida holdings (including Fort Myers Beach Golf Club, Chip’s Sanibel Steakhouse, Eight Fifty Lafayette (a 450-seat restaurant) and Gateway Executive Office Building (I forgot to mention those two properties)) to semi-retire in Sky Valley, Georgia, at age 54. This move prioritized lifestyle and family after decades of intense operations.

·
2016: After one year of semi-retirement, boredom set in. Chip joined RE/MAX Agents Realty, applying 34+ years of development and investment knowledge to help others buy and sell real estate—primarily Georgia mountain and lakefront homes. This pivot exemplified his entrepreneurial spirit, turning semi-retirement into a launchpad for new achievements.

·
2017: Elected as Councilman for the City of Sky Valley, Georgia. Chip ran in response to community frustration over a proposed, overburdensome tree ordinance that went so far as to require permits to cut your own azaleas in a city known for its long-range views. Home owners with good views were afraid they would lose their beautiful views. By the way, we stopped the tree ordinance.

·
2018: Served as Council President for Sky Valley, overseeing city operations and initiatives. His leadership guided decisions on budgeting, public safety, and growth planning, fostering economic vitality in Rabun County.

·
2018: Earned the RE/MAX Platinum Club award ($250,000–$499,999 gross commissions in a single year), reflecting strong performance amid civic duties.

·
2019: Earned a second consecutive RE/MAX Platinum Club award, demonstrating sustained excellence.

·
2020: Achieved RE/MAX Chairman’s Club (top-tier $500,000–$999,999 gross commissions) and was recognized as the 10th highest-earning RE/MAX agent in Georgia. Inducted into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame for cumulative career achievements exceeding $1 million.

·
October 24, 2020: Our daughter Kelly married Connor Baldwin in Sky Valley amid COVID-19, strengthening family bonds. Kelly later supported our real estate efforts through photography and office administration with Durpo Realty.

Durpo Realty Era and Ongoing Legacy (2021–2026)

·
April 2021: Founded Durpo Realty Associates LLC in Sky Valley, Georgia. Over the next few years, Chip obtained broker licenses in Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida (with occasional South Carolina coverage), enabling multi-state service. This expanded market reach mitigated regional economic fluctuations and enhanced service versatility through cross-state regulatory compliance.

·
2021–2025: Built Durpo Realty into a premier boutique brokerage specializing in luxury lakefront, mountain, and Florida commercial properties. By this time, our real estate sales production had exceeded $80,000,000. Kelly moved up to executive assistant and photographer, enhancing professional marketing efforts.

·
Early 2026: Running for River Vista HOA board while continuing active brokerage. Chip’s Primary residences include Sky Valley, Georgia, and Bushnell, Florida.

·
At age 64 (turning 65 in May 2026): Chip remains fully engaged, helping clients navigate complex transactions across three states while enjoying mountain living. His civic history (e.g., Sky Valley council service) positions him as a trusted advisor in community-oriented real estate.