Mitch Kirkland, P.E., is a civil and forensic engineer with extensive experience in military aviation, large‑scale infrastructure development, and engineering analysis. A native of Laurens, South Carolina, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from The Citadel in 1999.

He went on to serve as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, flying UH‑1N Huey helicopters during his active‑duty tenure from 1999 to 2008. His military career included deployments to Afghanistan and twice to Iraq. He later continued his service in the Marine Corps Reserve, retiring in 2021 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Since relocating to New Orleans in 2006, he has contributed to some of the region’s most significant civil engineering projects, including the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Surge Barrier at Lake Borgne and the new terminal at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). He further expanded his leadership and management expertise by earning an MBA from Tulane University in 2017.

He currently serves as a forensic engineer with US Forensic, where he specializes in evaluating structural performance, investigating building failures, and supporting complex engineering assessments.

He lives in Algiers Point with his wife and daughter.