NEW BERN, NC, July 15, 2024 - Capt. John R. Kirkland (Ret.) is a distinguished biographee of Marquis Who's Who. He was recently spotlighted in New York City's Times Square on a 22-story screen that is passed by an estimated 1.5 million people daily. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are chosen from among a pool of the most prominent professionals and 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.
Hailing from a multifaceted career in service both to his country and local community, Mr. Kirkland has distinguished himself as the mayor of River Bend, North Carolina. First elected to his position in 2003 and subsequently re-elected in 2019, he is responsible for leading the town council and representing the community in all public affairs.
Long motivated by a sense of honesty and duty toward those around him – values instilled in him by his family while coming of age – Mr. Kirkland joined the United States Coast Guard in 1955, through which he served until 1984. Throughout his three decades of service, during which time he went overseas for three years on miscellaneous assignments aboard a destroyer-class vessel and served as a commanding officer in Japan, Mr. Kirkland developed a keen appreciation for teamwork and a renewed appreciation for the privileges afforded by life in the United States.
During his time in the Coast Guard, Mr. Kirkland remained busy in civilian life through environmental and engineering service, including as a facility manager for the Association of Plant Engineers from 1970 to 1974. Following this period, he later availed himself as a manager within the electric boat division for General Dynamics for over a decade.
Following his retirement from military service at the rank of captain, Mr. Kirkland moved to North Carolina, where he was persuaded by a friend within the town council to apply his knowledge of environmental laws and regulations to serve on the Water Ways Advisory Board for River Bend. After her term on the town council ended, she encouraged him to take up her position – which he did for six years. Well-regarded for his management of the town's environmental programs, he was again persuaded to run for the office of mayor, which he first won in 2003.
Outside of his public service, Mr. Kirkland has contributed as a board member for the Craven County chapter of the North Carolina Community Foundation, and as a volunteer for his local church. To commemorate his accomplishments, he was notably bestowed with a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023, which is granted to recipients who have completed over 4,000 hours of community service within their lifetime.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Kirkland aspires to serve out the rest of his term as mayor and continue to enjoy life in River Bend, where he hopes to participate in many community events for years to come.
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