Our team is made up of a unique combination of expertise in the executive search methodology coupled with decades of real-life experience in nonprofit fundraising and executive leadership.

Cole has two decades of professional experience spanning work in the private, public, and non-profit sectors at the local, national, and international levels. With a master’s degree from Middlebury College completed while living in Paris, France, Cole also has extensive experience working internationally with such organizations as The Coca-Cola Company, the US Government, the Maclellan Foundation Inc., and most recently with Bethany International Ministries. Having focused for the last ten years on service to the nonprofit community as a strategic grant-maker, consultant, and organizational leader, Cole brings to bear a unique blend of skills and experiences honed in diverse environments working together to serve those in leadership.

Derric offers clients over 25 years of successful nonprofit and executive search experience. Beginning his non-profit career in 1990 and serving since 2000 as a consultant - first with two other firms and then since 2010 as President of DB&A - Derric has worked with with dozens of nonprofits across the USA, Canada, and overseas, large and small, faith-based and secular, spanning a variety of fields of interest. Nationally recognized as an expert in fund development, particularly major gift development, Derric has a keen understanding of the importance of talent... that the most important thing nonprofits can do to advance their mission is to be more more deliberate and effective in finding and developing exceptionally talented people to lead them forward.

After graduating from Indiana University where she studied Journalism and Business, it was a natural fit for Mindy to join her father - DB&A's company founder - in the family business. She took quickly to the rigors of working with clients and over the years has excelled in a variety of different roles, which allowed her to thoroughly learn the business. That diversity of experience, coupled with her natural creativity and congenial can-do attitude, make her a natural fit to serve in her current role as Vice President of Communications & Client Development, engaging with new clients through sales and strategy.

Ron’s professional career includes over 30 years of retained executive search and consulting experience, successfully conducting engagements for a broad array of clients ranging from non-profits and academics to financial services and electric utilities. His underlying focus has and continues to be on providing high quality, professional executive search and consulting support to clients. Recognizing that people are at the center of any organization’s ability to achieve their goals, Ron’s approach is to focus on the uniqueness of his client and the best, available candidates to be considered. As such, he blends a knowledge and familiarity of the search process and methodology with the art of matching a client’s needs and culture with the candidate’s skills, approach and motivation.

Jolene has over 15 years’ experience in executive administration, bookkeeping, and office management. That experience, coupled with her loving heart, can-do attitude, and unflappable demeanor have made her the cornerstone of our team. Canadian born & raised, Jolene and her family now call Asheville, NC home. When she’s not coming to the rescue for her co-workers, Jolene enjoys spending time with her husband of 25 years alongside their 3 adult children and fur-baby, Zoe.

April Keen is a North Carolina native who has always had a passion for helping others. After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill, she obtained her master's degree in Elementary Education from UNC-Greensboro. She went on to teach for several years in both private and public sectors. Upon moving to Asheville, April answered the call to help others in a different capacity by taking on the role of Client Services Manager at DB&A Executive Search & Recruitment, and it soon became apparent that this was a strong fit for her unique set of gifts as she quickly excelled in the role.

Melanie began her career in radio promotions before taking her love of marketing and branding to the digital space. As the Marketing, Media & Lead Generation Specialist at Dickerson, Bakker & Associates, she serves in a leadership capacity on the marketing team to reach nonprofit leaders. She manages the company websites- including the recent re-branding and launch of the DBA Executive Search & Recruitment website - as well as DBA's marketing campaigns and participation in conferences. Melanie joined Dickerson, Bakker & Associates team in January 2016. A graduate of Wingate University, she has a B.A. in Mass Communications and brings over 15 years of experience in digital marketing, branding, content curation, and strategic planning to the team. When she isn't putting her creative superpowers to use, Melanie, a native of Western North Carolina, enjoys volunteering at her church, exploring the Blue Ridge mountains with her camera, and setting out on various adventures with her young son.