Despite an unprecedented health crisis, ever-changing economic conditions, and social upheaval, private equity firms have remained resilient and adaptable. Now more than ever, qualified leaders are needed to confront challenges, design actionable strategies, and capitalize on emerging trends and opportunities.
At Buffkin / Baker, we understand the nuances of institutionally backed companies and the demands on their executive leadership. Our clients are an investment, and we take an active approach to customize a plan needed to fit the unique circumstances of private equity firms. Our process consistently identifies the right talent and is optimized to eliminate the human capital concerns of private equity firms.
Our primary emphasis is portfolio companies with a focus on healthcare, SaaS, tech-enabled services, marketing/media platforms, and business services. Although we work with all roles within the C-suite, we have expertise in the Chief Financial Officer function across a variety of industries.
Our Team in Private Equity
Craig Buffkin
Managing Partner
Craig Buffkin
Managing Partner
Craig Buffkin, the firm’s founder, serves as the Managing Partner, and as Head of the Private Equity and Transformation Practices, where he is actively involved with client engagements and business development. He has completed search work at the board, executive and senior level both nationally and internationally for a wide range of private, public, venture-backed, and private equity-back companies.
Before founding The Buffkin Group, which would later become Buffkin/Baker, Craig was a director in a national technology search firm with five offices and over 75 consultants. Before entering the search profession, he spent over 5 years as a turnaround specialist and over 10 years in marketing services. His last turnaround became a roll-up of seven healthcare companies with an eventual sale to a large public healthcare entity.
Craig holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He and his wife Heather reside in Nashville, TN with their three children, Caroline, Charlie, and Francie. He is an avid golfer and fisherman.
- Email:craig@buffkinbaker.com
Managing Partner
Jackson Ross
Partner
Jackson Ross
Partner
Jackson Ross serves as a Partner for the firm where he is actively engaged in searches for our Healthcare, Private Equity, and Digital Transformation Practices. He is a passionate results-driven leader with over 20 years of experience building brand awareness across the healthcare and digital continuum. Innovative strategy and loyal customer servitude have generated a history of exceeding client expectations and market share growth through roles in sales management, business development, corporate accounts, and general management. Jackson’s broad experience in both mature and entrepreneurial environments provides him with a strong foundation to drive enterprise growth, quality, and culture for Buffkin / Baker.
Jackson has extensive expertise in establishing relationships that result in customer-focused outcomes and increasing organizational efficiency. In 2014, he launched and operated the IT business unit for Vaso Healthcare, a Healthcare IT firm focused on the Diagnostic Imaging modalities, cyber security, and Radiology workflow. As General Manager, Jackson was responsible for all aspects of business operation. Prior to his time with Vaso Healthcare, he spent 12 years in corporate accounts and management-related positions with Siemens Healthcare, including the business development of corporate relationships for the GPO and IDN community. Jackson has received multiple awards and industry recognition for his ability to architect client solutions that meet and exceed the business and the financial needs of his customers.
Most recently, Jackson served on the leadership team for United Imaging Healthcare and was responsible for launching the US operations of Shanghai-based United Imaging Healthcare. In his role of Vice President of Strategic and Corporate Accounts, Jackson was instrumental in supporting the staffing, finance, information security, and commercial development for United Imaging’s nationwide business.
Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing from the University of Mississippi. As a native Nashvillian, Jackson enjoys time at home with his wife and two boys, and most any outdoor-related activity.
- Email:jackson@buffkinbaker.com
Partner
Jen Coleman
Partner
Jen Coleman
Partner
Jen Coleman serves as a Partner of the firm and is engaged in executive and senior-level assignments. She is actively involved in the firm’s Healthcare, Private Equity, and Digital Transformation Practices. With over 15 years of experience, Jen has expertise in working with public and private companies, and private equity backed companies to attract executive leaders in a competitive market. She brings her consulting to work directly with clients to understand their needs and goals in filling critical gaps in leadership and delivering successful outcomes. Prior to her career in executive search, Jen was employed in Treasury Management with Fifth Third Bank where she was responsible for client presentations, analysis, and training of treasury products. Before moving into Treasury Management, Jen spent three years in Institutional Sales for Fifth Third Securities and also managed corporate seminars and customer relations, organized trade shows, and developed new marketing materials for the subsidiary. Jen graduated with honors from Wittenberg University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She also holds an Advanced Certificate in Executive Search and Leadership Consulting from Cornell University, School of ILR. Originally from Ohio, Jen moved to Nashville in April of 2006. She is a 7-time marathoner and member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. She played collegiate volleyball and has continued her passion for the sport as a club volleyball coach. Jen resides in Nashville with her husband Brian and daughters. .
- Email:jen@buffkinbaker.com
Partner
Ryan Baggett, CDR
Associate Partner
Ryan Baggett, CDR
Associate Partner
Ryan Baggett has been in engaged in executive search, recruitment, and business development for over 20 years and is based out of our Nashville office. Ryan is an Associate Partner within the firm, where he is a key member in Healthcare, Private Equity, Digital Transformation, Academic Medicine, Entertainment, and TMT practices. In addition, he is an AIRS Certified Diversity and Inclusion Recruiter (CDR), utilizing search techniques that enable him to locate diverse candidate pools using a variety of resources, including the internet.
He takes a highly professional and consultative approach with his clients and candidates, relating to clients and candidates as partners and maintaining communication with them long after he’s made a placement. He provides candid advice, market guidance, and consistent feedback throughout the recruiting and hiring process.
Ryan has conducted hundreds of searches in his career for the positions of CEO, COO, CFO, CIO, CTO, CMO, CAO, President, GM, and other senior-level roles nationally and internationally for a wide range of private, public, venture-backed, and private equity-backed companies.
Before joining Buffkin/Baker, Ryan was a national recruitment executive for Maxim Healthcare. Responsible for the full-cycle recruitment efforts, management of 100 healthcare professionals, payroll, compliance, and HR strategy. Before entering the recruitment and search industry, he worked in business development and management roles for Troon Golf. In addition, he planned and facilitated NCAA championships and PGA-sanctioned events.
- Email:ryan@buffkinbaker.com
Associate Partner
Britt Adams
Senior Associate
Britt Adams
Senior Associate
Britt Adams serves as a Senior Associate and joined the firm in 2017. She previously worked at Ethicon, a medical device sales company, where she executed clinical education and training regarding Ethicon’s key platforms including wound closure, endo-mechanical, energy, and biosurgery/hemostatic adjunct products. She leads Professional Development Training for new hire sales classes, members of the field sales organization, and divisional managers.
Britt was born in Georgia and raised in Knoxville, TN. She attended Middle Tennessee State University, graduating in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in Marketing and a minor in Business Administration. She now lives in Nashville and in her free time enjoys hiking, yoga, swimming, and spending free time with family and friends.
- Email:britt@buffkinbaker.com
Senior Associate
LeadersFirst Career Portal
As a retained, specialty boutique search firm leader, each partner in the firm has expertise in their respective fields and each has over a decade of retained search experience. Combined, our partners have over 200 years combined executive search experience and 210 years of operating experience by our partners. Our job as search professionals is to recruit leaders in Healthcare, Higher Education, Private Equity, Digital Transformation, Technology, Media & Telecom, Entertainment, and Non-Profit.
Talk to Our Team
Contact our partner-led team of executive search professionals. We are a boutique recruitment firm connecting leading organizations with trusted professional candidates who have the experience to lead your vision.