Kirk Halpern

Kirk Halpern is the current director at Goodwill of North Georgia, and they have an extensive background in the food industry. Kirk got their start in their family's purveying business, which supplied restaurants and hotels. In 1989, they joined their father's company, Buckhead Beef Company, and eventually became the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President. In 2000, the company was acquired by SYSCO Corporation.

In 2005, Halpern founded Halperns' Purveyors of Steak and Seafood. The company experienced rapid growth, and in 2008, it was named the #2 Fastest Growing Private Company by Atlanta Business Chronicle. In 2010, it was named the National Processor of the Year by National Provisioner's Magazine. In 2015, the company was sold to Gordon's Foodservice.

Halpern has also been widely recognized as a leader in the meat industry. Kirk served on the Board of Directors of the North American Meat Processors Association (NAMP) for two three-year terms. When NAMP merged with NMA to form NAMA in 2012, they were elected to the Board of Directors and the Executive Board. Upon the merger of NAMA and American Meat Institute (AMI) in 2015, they were elected to the Board and Executive Board of the newly formed North American Meat Institute (NAMI). Kirk served in this role until 2017.

Kirk Halpern graduated from Duke University School of Law with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Prior to that, they completed their undergraduate studies at Florida State University, where they earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Government, magna cum laude. Kirk is also certified by the Georgia and Florida Bar Associations as a member of each state's bar association.