Age: 49
Family: Beth Waidner Kirwan, wife; sons Andrew (junior at Auburn University) and Stuart (junior at Episcopal School of Jacksonville)
Pets: Smooth Collie (think Lassie but with shorter hair)
Education: Harvard Law School; Duke University (political science major); Episcopal High School
Admitted to the Bar: 1988
Employed by: Foley & Lardner LLP
Field of practice: Business law (primarily securities and mergers and acquisitions)
Professional organizations: American Bar Association, The Florida Bar and The Jacksonville Bar Association
Community involvement: President of the North Florida Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth; board member of GrowJAX; board member of the Council for Economic Collaboration; former City of Jacksonville Ethics Commission (chair); member of the board of trustees at Episcopal School of Jacksonville; member of the board of trustees at Lakewood United Methodist Church (chair); service on numerous Athena panels; numerous positions with Cub Scouts.
How did you get involved?
Usually invited but other times the mere act of showing up and being willing to work were the keys (think Cub Scouts).
How can someone else get involved?
Showing up and expressing an interest is often sufficient in any community organization (having a supportive spouse also helps).
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
The power of a positive attitude and never turn down help. In general, the more folks that can be involved in any community organization, the greater chance that more will be happy with the end result. Of course, this means a tolerance for less than perfection.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
“Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies” by Jared Diamond