Nationally, just 19 percent of Realtors have obtained the GRI.

Candidates for the GRI are required to complete more than 90 hours of course work and to pass 12 examinations on subjects including real estate financing and investing, marketing properties, residential construction, property management, and legal and ethical issues in real estate.

The GRI curriculum and standards are governed by the National Association of Realtors.

Kirby, who was born in Pinehurst, attended Sandhills Farm Life Elementary and Union Pines High schools. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and worked in print media and marketing before returning to Moore County to join the Kirby group.

In her free time, Jennifer volunteers with the Moore County Literacy Council and the United Way of Moore County and is training for her second triathlon.

She is also an Ambassador for the Moore County Chamber of Commerce and a member of Sandhills Presbyterian Church. She lives in Pinehurst with her husband, Matt.

The Kirby Real Estate office is in downtown Southern Pines at the corner of South East Broad Street and Massach-usetts Avenue.

The company and its affiliated brokers belong to the local, state and national associations of Realtors.

The company can be reached at 692-8133 or by e-mail at info@kirbycompanies.com.