Derek Malone was born and raised in southern Idaho where he led an active lifestyle of sports and outdoor activities that included hunting, fishing, and camping throughout Idaho with his family and friends. Upon graduating high school, Derek attended Treasure Valley Community College on a basketball scholarship where he stayed until the attacks on September 11th. Derek enlisted in the Marine Corps and reached the rank of Sergeant, before attending Oregon State University to finish his bachelor's degree and receive his follow-on Commission as a United State Marine Corps Officer. While in Corvallis, Derek met his future wife, Joni, and they have been happily married for 17 years. Derek served honorably in the Marine Corps as an engineer officer and retired as a Major in 2021. Derek and Joni have three children together and their family has enjoyed numerous duty stations throughout the United States and overseas. Derek remains busy and involved in the community that he loves so much in Southern Idaho. Derek remains an active volunteer with the Jae Foundation, is the head coach of the Valley High School Varsity Girls Basketball Team, and started his own Certified Personal Training Company "H&B Hometown" based out of Twin Falls, Idaho.