Buffkin / Baker Expands Consumer Practice
June 3, 2026 – Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has expanded with the addition of Kevin Duffy as a partner in its consumer practice area. “We are delighted that Kevin has joined Buffkin / Baker and our consumer practice,” said David Alexander, partner, and consumer practice leader. “He brings a wealth of executive recruiting experience to our firm and his expertise in helping B2C organizations prosper through leadership will be invaluable to our mission.”
Mr. Duffy brings more than 35 years of experience advising boards and C-suite executives on organizational strategy and talent management. His client work spans a wide range of consumer-facing businesses, from startups to Fortune 50 companies, across public, family- and founder-led, private equity-backed, and venture capital-backed organizations.
Throughout his career, Mr. Duffy has led executive searches across the C-suite, including CEO, COO, CFO, and senior functional roles in human resources, merchandising, marketing, sales, and supply chain. His work includes searches for organizations such as Tractor Supply, New World Pasta, Sprouts, and FedEx Office.
Mr. Duffy most recently served as managing partner, retail and consumer goods and service practice at Ventura Partners. Before that, he was an executive vice president at Slayton Search Partners. Prior to that, Mr. Duffy was a managing director at Herbert Mines Associates. Before this, he was a senior client partner in Korn Ferry’s Chicago office and a member of the firm’s global consumer market, specializing in the retail and consumer areas. Earlier in his career, he addressed President Bush’s Glass Ceiling Commission on his efforts to recruit women and people of color into senior leadership roles for a retail grocery client.
“I am thrilled to join Buffkin / Baker as a Partner and support our clients in securing the best talent,” said Mr. Duffy. “Buffkin / Baker has a reputation for consistently exceeding expectations, and I’m eager to contribute to a team so deeply committed to delivering transformational leadership solutions.”
Buffkin / Baker is a specialty boutique search firm composed of industry leaders in their respective fields and each has over a decade of retained search experience. Their focus as search professionals is to recruit leaders in digital marketing/advertising, technology, healthcare, media/entertainment, finance, higher education, and non-profit. The firm serves public, private, venture, and private equity-backed companies. Its office locations include Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Cleveland, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Simons Island, Tampa, Washington, DC, and Winston-Salem.
Related: Buffkin / Baker Adds to Higher Education Practice
Buffkin / Baker is a member of Panorama Search, an international federation of retained firms with 18 firms and over 30 offices globally. Buffkin / Baker formed in 2017 with the merger of the Buffkin Group and Baker and Associates LLC.
Past Addition
Earlier this year, Buffkin / Baker named Jim May as partner in its technology/digital practice area, and executive corporate functional practice areas. “Jim’s expertise in human resources, finance, technology, and operations will strengthen our service to clients and enhance results,” said Tom Wilson, partner and practice leader. “We are delighted to name Jim as a partner in the firm, and we know that his network strategic recruiting, and consulting skills will provide significant value in every search.”
Mr. May joined Buffkin / Baker in February 2025 as part of the Buffkin / Baker acquisition of Gallagher’s U.S. Executive Search Practice, which included Frederickson Partners. With over a decade of experience in executive recruiting, he has established himself as a trusted advisor and a go-to resource for top-tier organizations seeking exceptional leadership talent.
A strategic partner focused on leveraging human capital to fuel long-term business growth, Mr. May has expertise in human resources, finance, technology, go-to-market , operations, and other senior leadership roles. Throughout his career, Mr. May has held various positions in talent acquisition and has managed searches for both U.S. and international organizations across a range of industries. His experience includes working with distinguished companies such as lululemon, Grail, Quantcast, InnovAge, Bluberi Gaming, Kyverna Therapeutics, Synaptics, Sirona Medical, Datavant, Clover Health, Schneider Electric, Mettler Toledo, and Total Quality Logistics.
Related: Buffkin / Baker Acquires Gallagher’s U.S. Executive Search Practice
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
