CTE Alumni Spotlight - Kirby Walshaw - Bedford County Public Schools

CTE Alumni Spotlight - Kirby Walshaw

Hello, my name is Kirby Walshaw. I graduated from Jefferson Forest High School in 2011. During my junior and senior years, I attended Mr. Payne’s Electrical program at BSTC. My dad owned an Electrical/HVAC service company. I would work with him on my summer breaks and weekends, immediately knowing this was my calling. I loved the different scenarios with every project, the logic required to troubleshoot and install complex systems. Watching a project come together is extremely rewarding and a great sense of accomplishment. During my years at BSTC, Mr. Payne taught us electrical theory, codes, and hands-on training. The career choices for having an electrical foundation are endless. Whether it's computer programming, electrical engineering, HVAC technician, or plans to start your own electrical business, this class gives you a jump start. After graduation, my certifications from BSTC helped me land an industrial electrical job. Mr. Payne helped arm me to excel in my trade. I was running multimillion-dollar electrical projects by 19, received my journeyman’s card at 20, and got my masters at 21. Without my BSTC certifications and experience, I would have had to wait an additional 2 years to be eligible to take the test. After receiving my masters, I had job offers from electrical maintenance on oil rigs in the gulf, to inspecting electrical projects in Saudi Arabia, to everything in between but decided to plant my roots at a local company. I’m currently a Project Manager/Estimator for Southern Air’s Building Automation Systems department and have been with the company for 5 years. Southern Air’s resources and knowledge help mold its employees to be the best of the best in which I’m proud to be a part of. In my management role, I participate in a lot of hiring processes. Knowing firsthand how Mr. Payne prepares his students for the workforce, we continue to hire numerous students from BSTC, the majority of which are in leadership roles. Huge thanks to the BSTC crew and especially Mr. Payne for helping me prepare for the future and making it fun along the way.

CTE Alumni Spotlight - Kirby Walshaw

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