Kirk, born the 3rd of nine children to David and Charlotte Mussell, grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. David, an Ordained Minister/Master Carpenter from rather humble beginnings, instilled in his children the work ethic that “whatever you do, do it with excellence, in service to others, to the glory of God”. Charlotte, David's wife, was a loving, artistic, gracious, resourceful mother to 9 children, whose daily challenge was to make the proverbial “silk purse from a sow's ear” and she usually succeeded as we were all fairly well dressed, and chubby.

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Growing up, Kirk, a farm boy at heart who loved animals and working the land, dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, but working with David as a carpenter was “what we did”. Over the years Kirk's working life served to combine David’s hardworking “tackle the job” work ethic with Charlotte’s artistic, sometimes unconventional, problem solving skills, always with an eye towards the budget, in his approach to the current “challenge”.

 

Kirk has worked in all aspects of construction from digging and pouring footings for residential housing through to high end custom commercial interiors and millwork. Kirk’s varied career stretches from humble Georgian residential, to lavish Hawaiian beachfront estates. Many years were spent working with Christian ministries and non profits, from teaching outdoor VBS to children in low income communities, to months in England helping with church construction. Kirk uses his combined life experience to Identify challenges, to problem solve solutions, and to implement fixes with an eye towards budget, in service to others.

 

Kirk is married to his wife, Merrilee, with 3 adult children and 5 biological, and 2 “adopted” grandchildren.