Our Team
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Bruce DingmanPresident, The Dingman Company |
Since joining The Dingman Company in 1986, Bruce has executed a variety of executive search assignments serving clients in diversified industries. In 1993 Bruce became President of The Dingman Company and has worked with clubs, financial services, consumer products, manufacturing, travel, hospitality, aviation, and non-profits including Christian organizations and universities. Prior to joining The Dingman Company in 1986, Bruce spent almost 20 years in the hotel, food service, and food distribution industries.
Bruce and his wife, Janet, live in Southern California and are the parents of three adult children and seven grandchildren. Bruce is a proud veteran having served in the United States Military. Bruce and Janet are members of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, CA.
| Bachelor of Science Cornell University |
Board Service Crossworld-since 2016 (www.CrossWorld.org) Global Christian Relief-since 2007 (globalchristianrelief.org) |
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Tim BernsteinArdent Search Company Co-Founder and President |
Tim co-founded Ardent Search in 2007, having previously served The Dingman Company, leading the research and reference functions, candidate development, and managing client relationships. Before entering the executive recruiting arena, Tim led his own consulting practice, specializing in re-organization and systems/structure improvement. Previously, for eighteen years, Tim held leadership positions in operations, strategy, marketing, and development in Fortune 100 companies as well as municipal, educational, and faith-based organizations. Tim’s commitment to integrity, a definitive understanding of leadership and transition, along with his highly relational style are strong assets in assisting clients in their change process. Tim and his wife, Beth, live in Southern California with their four children.
| Master of Organizational Leadership Biola University |
Master of Science, Marital & Family Therapy California Lutheran University |
Bachelor of Science California State University, Northridge |
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David J. Gyertson, Ph.D.Vice President, The Dingman Company |
David Gyertson serves as a Vice President assisting The Dingman Company with its executive searches in education and ministry. Dr. Gyertson has a broad background in higher education, publishing, consulting, executive coaching, ministry, and media. He holds a Ph.D. from Michigan State University with a concentration in education administration, organizational communications and innovation/change theory. His undergraduate education (Spring Arbor University) is in Philosophy, Psychology & Religion. Master’s degree work (Michigan State University and the University of Toronto) was done in counseling, communications, and international education.
Gyertson has held senior leadership positions in religious, charitable, and educational environments, including international and cross-cultural settings. David was a founding team member of Regent University (VA) in 1977 and returned as President in 1990. Dr. Gyertson also served as President of Asbury University (KY) and Taylor University (IN). Most recently he was Associate Provost and Founding Dean of the Beeson School of Practical Theology as well as Affiliate Professor of Leadership Formation and Renewal at Asbury Theological Seminary (KY).
David is an ordained minister having served senior pastoral positions in Methodist and Presbyterian settings. He hosted the nationally syndicated radio show “On-the-Line”. He also was the host and executive producer of the weekly “Canadian Edition” television broadcast. David was a Senior Fellow with the Engstrom Institute of the Christian Leadership Alliance with a research and consulting focus in executive leadership for nonprofit organizations. In addition, he was a Senior Fellow for the Council for Christian Colleges as well as assisting with training for the Association of Biblical Higher Education and the InTrust Center for Theological Education. He served as a Flotilla Staff Officer with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and is a member of the Board of Biola University where he chaired the Academic Affairs committee.
Dr. Gyertson also is a succession facilitator & executive coach to faith-based organizations. He specializes in governance training, transition planning & special projects implementation. David conducts executive retreats in areas of spiritual formation for leaders desiring to grow personally and professionally as committed followers of Jesus Christ. His most recent books are Salt and Light (Word) and Nonprofit Leadership in a For-Profit World (Standard).
David can be reached at djgyertson@gmail.com or david@dingman.com.
| Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Management Michigan State University |
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy Religion and Psychology Spring Arbor University (Michigan) |
Graduate work at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education in Comparative and International Higher Education. |
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Donna WhiteSearch Consultant |
Donna White served for several years as Vice President with The Dingman Company and continues to serve as an ad hoc partner for select searches. Her strong commitment to supporting organizations that challenge the status quo and transform industries led to founding August Venture Talent, a boutique executive search firm that specializes in entrepreneurial and turnaround situations.
Donna has delivered impressive results for over two decades as an executive search consultant for a broad range of projects, both as a team member with boutique firms and as a solo practitioner. Deep expertise in her field and understanding of organizations and the marketplace, combined with rare perception and keen intellect allow her to manage even the most complex recruiting challenges with dexterity. Clients express appreciation for Donna’s high integrity, exceptional communication and winsome representation of their organizations. Her professionalism and personal warmth make the search process an enjoyable experience for all involved.
Donna is an Illinois native who moved to Southern California as a young adult. She worked full-time progressing through roles in corporate Human Resources while earning a B.S., Management at Pepperdine University. Later, she earned a Master of Divinity degree with Fuller Theological Seminary and worked with faith-based nonprofits. She is married to Mark and mom to four, ranging from teens to college students —five if you count Murphy, the family dog. Donna enjoys travel, stimulating conversation, a good read, walks on the beach and all things nature. Future aspirations as she approaches the empty-nest stage include serving energetically on nonprofit boards.
| Master of Divinity Fuller Theological Seminary Pasadena, California |
Bachelor of Science, Management Pepperdine University Malibu, California |