Since 1970, Kirby has been involved in retail brokerage, tenant representation, site selection and various aspects of management and development. He has been involved in the development and leasing of numerous neighborhood shopping centers throughout the Metropolitan Kansas City area and other outlying communities.

Kirby is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in Business Administration. Prior to joining VAD, he was Director of Real Estate for the Kansas City division of the Fleming Grocery Company. He has served as President of the Johnson County Board of Realtors as well as President of the Commercial Investment Division of that Board. He also has served as President of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, a State Director for the Kansas Association of Realtors and a National Director of the National Association of Realtors. He has been recognized as Realtor of the Year for both the State of Kansas and his local Board of Realtors. Additionally, he has received the Distinguished Service Award presented by the Johnson County Board of Realtors and the Distinguished Service Award presented by the Kansas Association of Realtors. In 1998, he was named Commercial Realtor of the Year by the Johnson County Board of Realtors.