Buffkin / Baker

About Us

Buffkin / Baker is a partner-led executive search firm specializing in Healthcare, Higher Education, Private Equity, Technology/Digital, Consumer, and Non-Profit sectors. Each partner, a leader in their field, brings over a decade of retained search experience, contributing to a collective total of more than 300 years in search and over 400 years in industry and operational expertise. The firm operates from multiple locations, including 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. Buffkin / Baker is a member of Panorama, a global community of over 400 leadership experts working together in 70+ office locations to promote a diverse perspective on leadership, embracing creative thinking, and sharing our expertise and experience to bring our clients the very best results.

Achievements

RECENT PLACEMENTS

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At Buffkin/Baker, its partners are experts in the verticals in which they specialize. This is one secret to their success in finding the right talent for clients’ organizations. The firm possess firsthand knowledge and understanding of the industries in which they work, and know what it takes to be successful in each of its domains. This understanding, partnered with their extensive network and proven process, allows the firm to effectively help clients with their important hiring decisions.

For them, success means not just finding a leader for our client companies but finding the right leader. The firm carefully evaluates clients’ company culture, specific organizational needs, and leadership talent to ensure they place an individual who is not only capable of excelling at the position, but who also is an ideal fit for that specific company culture and environment. At the end of the day, their 99% completion rate for their searches speaks for itself.

Buffkin / Baker

Solutions And Expertise

Buffkin / Baker is a retained, specialty boutique search firm composed of industry leaders. Each partner in the firm has been a leader in their respective fields and each has over a decade of retained search experience.

Combined, its partners have more than 300 years in search and over 400 years in industry and operational expertise.

Solutions
  • Assessment
  • Board Services
  • Executive Search
  • Succession Planning
Industries
Functions
  • Board/Governance
  • CEO/President
  • Data/Analytics
  • Finance/Accounting
  • GM/Operations
  • Information/Digital
  • Legal/Compliance
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Medical/Clinical

Buffkin / Baker

News Briefings

Buffkin / Baker Recruits General Counsel for Shearwater Health

Legal recruiting continues to be a hot area for search firms. Lawyers employed by government agencies in particular have been on the move as a result of changes in government administrations, according to Hunt Scanlon Media. Demand for legal work is expected to be robust as individuals, businesses and all levels of government require legal services in

Buffkin / Baker Assists Fort Lewis College with the Recruitment of 11th President

Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has assisted in the recruitment of Heather J. Shotton as the 11th president of Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Partner Ann Yates and associate partner Pelema Ellis led the assignment. After a six-month search, the presidential search committee chose Dr. Shotton from more than 75 applicants. “Dr. Shotton brings a wealth of experience and a deep

Buffkin / Baker Seeking New President for Pittsburg State University

Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has been selected by Pittsburg State University in Kansas. Partner Pelema Ellis is leading the assignment. To lead the institution, the board seeks a growth-oriented, proven leader who will build on the university’s foundation of good fiscal management, unique program delivery, and exceptional relationships with its host city to drive

Buffkin / Baker Acquires Gallagher’s U.S. Executive Search Practice

Buffkin / Baker, a national retained executive search firm based in Brentwood, TN, has acquired the U.S. recruiting business of Gallagher Executive Search, including Frederickson Partners. “The acquisition of Gallagher’s U.S. Executive Search team will enhance the depth and breadth of our capabilities and provide a more comprehensive national presence,” said Craig Buffkin, managing partner. “By leveraging

Buffkin / Baker

Press Releases

Curative Hires Norman Storwick as Chief Actuary & Vice President of Underwriting

Curative, a leader in healthcare innovation, has appointed Norman Storwick as Chief Actuary and Vice President of Underwriting. Curative partnered with Buffkin / Baker on the executive search. In his role as Chief Actuary and VP of Underwriting, Norman will oversee and implement various models, practices, and strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate risks as well as

Shearwater Health Hires Matthew Thompson as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer

Shearwater Health, a global leader in clinical solutions for the healthcare industry, has appointed Matthew Thompson as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. Shearwater Health partnered with Buffkin / Baker on the executive search. In his role as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Matt will oversee all legal aspects of the company and will

METTLER TOLEDO Hires Anthony Hartman as Head of Human Resources, North America

METTLER TOLEDO, a leading manufacturer of cutting-edge instruments for a wide range of industries from Life Sciences and pharmaceutical to manufacturing and logistics, has appointed Anthony Hartman as Head of Human Resources, North America. METTLER TOLEDO partnered with Buffkin / Baker on the executive search. In his role as Head of HR, NA, Anthony will partner closely

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke Hires Dr. Shreerekha Pillai as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke has appointed Dr. Shreerekha Pillai as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, effective July 1, 2025. UNC Pembroke partnered with Buffkin / Baker Partners on the search. In her role as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Pillai will build on the college’s

Renew Wellness Brands Hires Brian Koons as Senior Vice President of Marketing

Renew Wellness Brands, a multi-channel, vertically integrated and worldwide provider of natural health and wellness products, has appointed Brian Koons as Senior Vice President of Marketing. Renew Wellness Brands partnered with Buffkin / Baker on the executive search. In his new role as SVP of Marketing, Brian will be responsible for leading all sales and

Buffkin / Baker

Multimedia

Videos

Talent Acquisition from an In-House Perspective
Women in Leadership
Women in Private Equity
Bufkin / Baker and Panorama
Bufkin / Baker and the History of Our Firm
Buffkin / Baker and Why We Keep Going
Bufkin / Baker and the Traits of Our Firm
Buffkin / Baker and the Vision for the Future
Buffkin / Baker: Empathy in the Workplace

Insights:

Good Governance, Succession, and Why External Validation Matters—Even for Internal Candidates
Private Equity Compensation Trends for 2026: Precision, Performance, and Pay for Value Creation
Relationship‑Driven Executive Search in the Age of AI: Insights from Partner Tom Wilson
Introducing our New Series: The Modern CHRO
Challenge: PE Investment in Founder-Led Healthcare Businesses
“Junior” Executives—Executive Search at the Director Level
Remote Work vs On-Site Work. Which is the right direction?
The Critical Role of HR Leadership During Private Equity Transitions
Enhancing Business Outcomes: The CHRO & CFO Alliance
Start Ups & Unicorns
Interim HR Consulting: A New Strategy for Agile Leadership
What is Talent Acquisition?
What is Total Rewards?
Expand Your Network Today for Tomorrow’s Opportunities
Creating A Relationship With A Retained Executive Search Firm
Strengthening Your Hiring Process: Why Building Company Brand Matters
Partnering with an Executive Search Firm to Recruit Higher Education Leaders
Recruiting And The Love Language
Rising Importance Of Chief Data Officer In Tomorrow’s Successful Enterprises
The Impact of a Down Market on Executive Placements
Finding a Signal, In a World Full of Noise
Leveraging The Chief Data Officer In Healthcare Organizations
2020 Trends for Higher Education Institutions
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