About Us

Buffkin / Baker is a partner-led executive search firm focusing on Healthcare, Higher Education, Private Equity, Digital Transformation, Technology, Media & Telecom, and Non-Profit. As leaders in their respective fields, each partner has over a decade of retained search experience. Combined, the firm’s partners have more than 175 years of search experience and more than 220 years of industry/operating experience. Office locations include Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, St. Simons Island, Washington, DC, and Winston-Salem with an affiliate office in London. Buffkin / Baker is a member of Panorama, a global community of over 400 leadership experts working together to promote a diverse perspective of leadership, embracing creative thinking, and sharing our expertise and experience to bring our clients the very best results.

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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.

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 over 175 years of search experience and 210 years of industry experience.

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

News Briefings

Princeton Theological Seminary Selects Buffkin / Baker to Find New CFO

Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has been retained by the Princeton Theological Seminary to lead in its search for a new chief financial officer. Leading the assignment is Martin M. Baker, managing partner, and Pelema Ellis, associate partner. The search appears to be in its final stages as the firm recently stopped taking new applications. The CFO

Buffkin / Baker Seeks Director of Athletics for Middle Georgia State University

Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has been called in to help find the next director of athletics for Middle Georgia State University (MGA) in Macon. The new AD search comes as the university is pursuing membership in the NCAA Division II and looks into the possibility of joining the Peach Bowl Conference. Leading the

Buffkin / Baker Leading President Search for Chowan University

Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker was recently selected by Chowan University  to lead its search for a new president. Kirk Peterson recently stepped down from the role to spend more time with his family. Partner Ken Carrick is leading the assignment. The president serves as the chief executive officer of the university with responsibility for ensuring

Buffkin / Baker Adds to Higher Education Practice

Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has expanded with the addition of Ann Yates as a partner in its higher education practice area. “We are delighted to welcome Ann to the Buffkin / Baker team. Her demonstrated success in recruiting diverse and talented candidates will bring substantial value to our clients across the country,” said

Press Releases

Buffkin / Baker Places VP, Quality and Compliance at Alive Hospice

(Sept. 2021) Congratulations to Stacey Cloninger for being named the Vice President, Quality and Compliance at Alive Hospice. This announcement follows an extensive search involving a comprehensive process led by Mark Farrington, operating partner, Britt Adams, senior associate, and Stephanie Conger, junior associate. In her new role, Stacey will provide direction and oversight of performance improvement for Alive Hospice. Additionally, she

Buffkin / Baker Aides Oklahoma State System of Higher Education in Chancellor Search

(Sept. 24, 2021) Congratulations to Allison D. Garrett for being named as the next Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. She will be the first woman to hold the position of Chancellor. Buffkin/Baker was chosen after a competitive bid process led by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and conducted by Martin Baker, Chelsie Whitelock,

Buffkin / Baker Names Jackson Ross Principal

(Sept. 20, 2021) Buffkin / Baker, a partner-led executive search firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Jackson Ross as principal, where he will be responsible for creating value for clients in the firm’s health care, private equity, and digital transformation practices. Ross brings more than 20 years of experience exceeding client expectations and

Buffkin / Baker Principal Becomes AIRS Certified Diversity & Inclusion Recruiter

(June 2021) Chelsie Whitelock, principal at Buffkin / Baker, recently became an AIRS powered by ADP Certified Diversity and Inclusion Recruiter (CDR). Utilizing the AIRS search techniques enables Buffkin / Baker’s recruiters to locate diverse candidate pools using a variety of resources, including #internet search techniques, and employ effective keywords that can be added to

Dr. Kayse Shrum Named Next President of Oklahoma State University

(April 2021) The Oklahoma State University A&M Board of Regents has selected Dr. Kayse Shrum as the 19th president of Oklahoma State University. The announcement follows an extensive national search involving an inclusive process composed of representatives from across the OSU system, including faculty, students, staff and alumni. The announcement follows an extensive national search

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