"In just the three years since I came back to Delta, we've made incredible product enhancements, from creating pop-up barriers that can handle a K54 crash to beam barriers that close in less than a second," Kirk emphasized. "We've enhanced protection for customers ranging from embassies in Saudi Arabia to nuclear power plants to airports and dams."

Kirk, who is conversant in German and Italian, has a long and distinguished career in the international security industry. He had previously worked in Delta's Rome office. Later, Delta's business with United States military groups in Europe prompted a move to Germany. Prior to working at Delta's European branches, Kirk was president of Security Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Brinks Europe. He has also been a division controller for Outboard Marine Corporation (Manawa, Wis.) and CFO for Osceola Refining Company (West Branch, Mich.).

Kirk holds an MBA in finance and accounting from the University of Illinois. He also earned a master's degree in mental health counseling from St. Thomas University and was admitted to a doctoral program in the summer of 2003.