VMI search committee retains Buffkin Baker to lead superintendent search

Ernie Edgar, co-chair of the Virginia Military Institute superintendent search committee, introduced the committee’s retained search firm, Buffkin Baker, at a public meeting and asked the firm to outline its search process for the institute’s next superintendent.

Buffkin Baker consultants described a four-step search approach — institutional immersion and stakeholder listening; proactive sourcing; multi-stage candidate evaluation; and finalist vetting, references and background checks. Ken Carrick, a Buffkin Baker search consultant, said the firm has already received an unusually large volume of early interest: “We had 1,495 responses to that survey,” and before aggressive sourcing begins the firm already has “over 30 people” who have proactively reached out or been referred. Carrick added the committee emphasized to the firm that “we will do this as fast as we possibly can…