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 been serving in leadership with the Dickerson-Bakker family of firms since 2015. Originally hired as the Vice President of Strategy and Outcomes and then promoted to firm Senior Vice President and Consulting Team Lead, he had the privilege of helping build and lead the firm’s wonderful team of world-class non-profit and ministry consultants while also providing direct client service in retained executive search and recruitment. In 2018, when the firm split into two sister firms, Cole accepted the position of CEO of DB&A Executive Search and Recruiting, where he serves today. Prior to consulting, Cole spent nearly 20 years working internationally, first in the corporate and public sectors and then in private philanthropy and non-profit leadership. His passion and personal calling are to serve those who serve. Through his time overseas with Coca-Cola, the US Government and NATO, and then as a grant-maker and Executive Director, Cole has been privileged to work alongside leaders from nearly every continent and culture. Positioned at the intersections of senior leadership, strategic funding, and global strategy for most of his career, Cole brings a broad-spectrum perspective to every client engagement. Cole completed his undergraduate studies in Virginia at Washington & Lee University and his master’s with the Middle College Schools of Language in Paris, France, where he focused his research and coursework on international affairs.

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.

Barbara has more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit management and corporate career management, including nine years as the vice-president of advancement for a $46 million global faith-based nonprofit. Prior to that she served ten years with a large chamber of commerce where she served as vice president of member services leading the nonprofit, small business, workforce development, marketing and communications, and leadership training divisions. In addition, Barbara was director of professional services for a large global career management firm that assisted organizations experiencing major workforce development transition such as Hewlett Packard, Eddie Bauer, Novartis, and numerous financial institutions. She earned a reputation as a strategic leader able to bring an organization and its people to the next level of effectiveness. Barbara believes that leaders who have the aptitude to lead effectively, take  personal responsibility, and motivate others  contribute to a thriving culture and  ultimately, greater missional impact. Barbara holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Guidance & Counseling with an emphasis in career management from Colorado Mesa University. She and her husband, who has a 42-year career with Young Life, a global youth para-church ministry, live in Boise, Idaho. They have two adult children.

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.