Mike Kirkland was born in Jackson County, Alabama. Kirkland graduated from Scottsboro High School. He earned a B.A. from Athens State University and an M.B.A. from the University of North Alabama. Kirkland's career experience includes working as an area sales manager, a district sales manager, and a senior sales representative with Vulcan Materials. He served as the president of the Northeast Alabama Community College Foundation Board of Directors, the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG), and the Scottsboro Rotary Club.
