In light of his civic work, he was honored with a Volunteer's Award from The White House in 2023.
NEW BERN, NC, February 07, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Capt. John R. Kirkland has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Following a successful career in the military and the engineering sector, Mr. Kirkland pivoted into public service when he was elected as a member of the River Bend, North Carolina, council in Craven County over 25 years ago. After six years in his role, he was voted into office as the mayor and has since been re-elected several times. Mr. Kirkland's current four-year term expires in 2024.
As part of his ongoing responsibilities as an elected official, Mr. Kirkland presides at all town council meetings, represents River Bend at numerous public affairs, liaises with various advisory boards, and is tasked with signing all legal documents.
Mr. Kirkland began his career as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, having served from 1955 to 1984 before retiring as a captain. During his tenure in the military, he spent over three years at sea on various assignments aboard a destroyer-class ship, including one year in Japan as a commanding officer and several weeks in Moscow and Odesa, Ukraine. During the last 15 years of his 29-year service, Mr. Kirkland was tasked with its environmental response. Humbled by his time in the military, he is most grateful for learning the importance of teamwork.
Besides his contributions to military service, Mr. Kirkland was an esteemed engineer whose expertise included environmental law and regulations. He worked as a facility manager for the Association of Plant Engineers from 1970 to 1974 and as a manager of the electric boat division at General Dynamics between 1985 and 1995.
Mr. Kirkland's civic commitments have expanded outside the realm of mayor. He has lent his time and expertise as the vice chair of the Coastal Regional Solid Waste Management Authority and has been actively engaged in volunteer efforts through his local church.
Mr. Kirkland graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1954 with a Bachelor of Engineering in naval architecture and marine engineering. He subsequently studied at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, earning a Bachelor of Engineering in civil engineering in 1958.
As part of his ongoing success, Mr. Kirkland is active in his professional community as a member of the Association of Plant Engineers. In light of his civic work, he was honored with a Volunteer's Award from The White House in 2023.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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