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Ms. Kirkland began her career during the Cold War simulating improvements to long range weapons systems and marketing those improvements to various branches of the military. During the 80s she worked daily with three of the major sectors of our region: government, manufacturing and technology.
As she transitioned into the 90s and began a family, she incorporated as a Sub S to consult in software development for the defense, state government and small business sectors. This experience gave her a strong foundation in managing a budget and the needs of small business.
Ms. Kirkland started with the Economic Development Council (EDC) in October 2002 as the Director of Partnership Development. During this time she managed a five-year capital campaign securing $2.5M of investment in enhanced economic development. She also implemented a comprehensive, nationally recognized program to serve the needs of existing industry in our region. This program joined economic and workforce development organizations in a goal of growing jobs, facilities and investment in Tallahassee’s local businesses resulting in more than $4 million of workforce training dollars and tax credits in its first year. In May 2007, Kirkland was named the Executive Director of the EDC.
An alumni of Leadership Tallahassee Class 17 and a thirteen year resident of the community, Ms. Kirkland has served as the Chairman of the Board for the American Heart Association and President of The Tallahassee Ballet Board of Directors. She received a certification in Economic Development (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council in March of 2009. She has three children, Ford, Shelby, and Reid.
