Technology, media, and telecommunications have become key influencers in driving change across industries such as healthcare, higher education, and private equity around the globe. As people-based business models continue to transform into more technology-enabled services; the demand for technology, media, and telecommunications knowledge has become a required leadership tool across all industries. Deep knowledge and understanding in these areas are critical for today’s leaders as they reshape business models and strategies to fit the new landscape. With technology continuing to change the way we live; the right leader is poised to design cutting-edge solutions and strategies while continuing to deliver on the company mission.
Our Technology, Media, & Telecom practice understands the challenges organizations face in this ever-changing sector. We make it a priority to stay abreast of industry trends so we can give clients the most value and conduct a successful search to find the right talent. Working collaboratively with our clients, we develop an in-depth understanding of the organization’s goals and the most important skills needed for the role. Our global reach and extensive experience allow us unparalleled access to executive leadership that excels in the areas of technology, media, and telecommunications. Using a proven approach and our deep industry knowledge, we consistently deliver a diverse slate of candidates that are the right fit for the job and the culture.
Our Team in Technology, Media & Telecom
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
Jen Coleman
Partner
Jen Coleman
Partner
Jen Bradley serves as a Partner of the firm and is actively engaged in executive and senior-level assignments. She is actively involved in the firm’s Healthcare, Digital and Private Equity Practices.
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 daughters, Kinsey and Libby.
- 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
Jeannine Centanni, CTR
Associate
Jeannine Centanni, CTR
Associate
Jeannine Centanni serves as a Senior Associate focusing on searches in our Digital Practice. Additionally, she is an AIRS Certified Technical Recruiter (CTR). Utilizing the AIRS search techniques helps recruiters understand technical recruiting and the sourcing landscape to support an effective IT recruiting strategy, from research to communicating with candidates. Residing in Charlotte, NC, she comes to us with a diverse background, including experience in consumer products merchandising and marketing with both Maybelline and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products. She also has experience in human resources, training, and recruiting, and most recently worked in professional development with Cornell in the technology and data sciences verticals. Jeannine was born in New Jersey but has called Charlotte, NC home for the last 17 years. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a minor in Marketing. In her free time, she enjoys watching sports (especially football) and wandering through local festivals and farmers' markets with her three daughters.
Senior Associate
Ben Williams, CDR
Associate
Ben Williams, CDR
Associate
Ben Williams joined Buffkin/Baker in 2022. As an Associate, he works directly with our Partner-led teams and supports them in their daily search activities. He plays a vital role in conducting research and working with Partners to present a diverse slate of candidates to clients. He is an AIRS Certified Diversity and Inclusion Recruiter (CDR). Utilizing the AIRS search techniques enables our recruiters to locate diverse candidate pools using a variety of resources, including the internet. A Nashville native, Ben graduated from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a minor in Business Administration. He enjoys spending free time with his family, playing hockey/exercising, and attending Nashville Predators games.
- Email:ben@buffkinbaker.com
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, Entertainment/Media, and Non-Profit.
Our Clients
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.