Kirkland Brings Perspective, Positivity to Charlotte
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Charlie Stewart still has the letter John Kirkland wrote to him after Kirkland’s interview for a position at then-Park Sterling in 2009.
“He said ‘If you hire me, I’ll be the best employee you’ve ever had’,” recalls Stewart, Commercial team leader at Charlotte’s Morrison location. “And he’s right.”
Kirkland, a senior utility assistant, holds celebrity status at both the Morrison and Morehead offices. Armed with a genuine, joyful nature, he comes in early to greet each of his co-workers, always by name and often with a high-five or nickname he’s given them.
“They say I’m peppy in the morning,” Kirkland laughs.
Kirkland joined Park Sterling through the InReach program, which connects adults with developmental disabilities to employment opportunities that fit their abilities and interests. Stewart, a family friend, knew Kirkland could do the job but couldn’t have imagined how much he’d uplift those around him.
“(Helping him get hired) is the best thing I’ve ever done,” Stewart says. “He puts life and what’s really important in perspective for us.”
“He makes you want to come to work,” agrees Ginger Whisnant, administrative assistant and Kirkland’s supervisor.
Though Kirkland started his career in banking doing odd jobs around the Morehead office, he’s proven his value with more significant tasks. “I know my strengths and help anyone who needs it,” he says.
In fact, Kirkland assembles the teller training packets with 30 types of sample transactions, not just for the Charlotte region, but the entire South State footprint. At Morrison, he also assists private bankers with mailings and loan officer assistants with depositing their transaction tickets.