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

Buffkin / Baker

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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 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

Fort Lewis College Taps Buffkin / Baker to Find Next President

Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has been retained by Fort Lewis College to lead in its search for its next president. Partner Ann Yates and associate partner Pelema Ellis are leading the assignment. Reporting to the board of trustees, the president is responsible for shaping the college’s vision and strategic direction. The new president will assume the role at

Partnering with an Executive Search Firm to Recruit Higher Education Leaders

Executive search consultants continue to tell Hunt Scanlon Media that the competition for superior, senior leadership talent is fierce. With the general shortage of executive talent, exacerbated by the pandemic, higher education institutions appear highly motivated to retain effective current leaders making counteroffers more prevalent than ever, and in some instances, extreme in their composition

Buffkin / Baker Recruits Chief Lending Officer for Three Roots Capital

Chief lending officers play a crucial role in managing and overseeing an organization’s lending strategies and operations. They ensure that lending practices align with regulatory requirements and risk management standards while maximizing profitability. Craig Buffkin and Ryan Baggett of partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker recently assisted in the recruitment of Keith Hickey as senior vice

Buffkin / Baker

Press Releases

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

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., February 13, 2025 – Buffkin / Baker, a national retained executive search firm based in Brentwood, Tennessee, announced today the acquisition of Gallagher’s U.S. Executive Search Practice, including Frederickson Partners. Terms of the transaction remain undisclosed. Gallagher’s executive search advisors have been leaders in executive search services for more than 40 years. From

Chris Durham Named Vice President of Service Desk Operations at HCTec

Congratulations to Chris Durham on recently being named Vice President of Service Desk Operations. Buffkin / Baker was pleased to partner with HCTec on this search led by Jen Coleman and Ben Williams. Chris has over 25 years of leadership experience, specializing in operations management. He recently served as the Senior Director of Customer Support

Ann Gansemer-Topf Named Director of Iowa State University School of Education and Frances S. and Arthur L. Wallace Professor in the College of Human Sciences

Ann Gansemer-Topf was recently named as the Director of Iowa State University School of Education and Frances S. and Arthur L. Wallace Professor in the College of Human Sciences. This announcement follows a comprehensive national search led by Martin Baker and Pelema Ellis. A successful leader and nationally recognized scholar, Dr. Gansemer-Topf will oversee all

Tim Hadley Named President at Palmetto Infusion

Tim Hadley has recently been appointed to the role of President at Palmetto Infusion, a leading provider of ambulatory and home infusion in the southeast, following a comprehensive search led by Jackson Ross and Ryan Baggett. With over 20 years of executive experience in both public and private healthcare settings, Tim will be instrumental in

Stephanie Rich Named SVP of Clinical Experience at Spiras Health

Stephanie Rich was recently named as SVP of Clinical Experience at Spiras Health, a value-based clinical provider of care-at-home services for individuals with complex, chronic needs. This announcement follows a comprehensive search led by Jen Coleman, Partner, and Ben Williams, Senior Associate. With over 30 years of healthcare experience, Stephanie previously served in executive leadership