The Quest Team

A shared passion for helping business owners achieve their business goals & life plans

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

We’ve been in your shoes. Our team owns, has owned, bought, and sold their own businesses.

As business planning professionals, we understand the unique challenge of striving to do everything in your power to grow your business, while also keeping an eye on the most important things in life – your family, personal life, hopes and dreams.

Our Team

From serving Fortune 50 to our lower middle market business leaders, our team of executives brings 200+ years of experience in business solutions and service to others.
Dale Gillmore

Dale Gillmore

Partner, Director of Legacy

Quest’s founder brings more than 20 years of M & A and family office experience working closely with privately held business owners on clarifying and executing their personal and business goals. Dale holds a Master of Science in Taxation from Walsh College and a BSBA from Central Michigan. He specializes in estate and income tax strategies, succession plans, liquidity events, exit planning, and family estates, and asset protection solutions.

A recognized philanthropist, Dale founded the Make an Impact Foundation in 2010.

Ron Niekro

Ron Niekro

Partner, Director of Change

Ron is a business consultant bringing more than 20 years of experience. His extensive skill set includes providing professional tax guidance to large corporate and partnership clients, primarily in the manufacturing, retail, and alternative investment space. He works closely with privately held business owners with their tax planning strategies. Ron earned his BSBA from Central Michigan University and was a managing director with KPMG LLP prior to joining Quest.

Kristin Couch

Partner, Director of Growth

Kristin has served the banking industry as a Controller, CPA, and CFO for the last 30 years. A graduate of Georgia Tech and the Alabama School of Banking, she most recently spent 16 years with Aquesta Bank as Chief Financial Officer and 12 years as the Director of Human Resources.

During her time with Aquesta, she had significant impact, which aligns with Quest’s areas of focus. She served the company by increasing scalability via optimal earnings, cash management and finance strategies. As well as serving the company by exercising capital, liquidity, interest rate, asset/liability, and tax strategies to protect the company’s net worth, and served the company and shareholders by supporting their significant growth in net worth, culminating in the $131 million sale of Aquesta to United Community Bank.

Kristin enjoys water activities, traveling and spending time with her family, friends, and 4 dogs.

Dave Swartzendruber

Dave Swartzendruber

M&A Investor Outreach

An operating executive with over 20 years of business ownership and leadership experience, Dave owned two successful businesses prior to joining Quest, one was recognized as a inc 5000 fastest growing privately held company in the U.S.. He specializes in private equity, investment banking, and family office sectors producing new capital funding opportunities of over $150M+.

Dave attended Ferris State University. He is also an avid pilot, a skill he uses as a project ambassador for the Make an Impact Foundation’s Drones-2-Jets aviation program.

Drew Partridge

M&A Investor Outreach / Business Development

Drew was an Independent Insurance Agency Owner & Financial Investment Specialist for almost 20 years before joining forces with Quest. He also spent over 7 years on News Talk 1110 WBT broadcasting “The Wealth Builders Show,” a show specializing in safe retirement strategies. As a former business owner, Drew brings a plethora of skills to assist and to develop relationships with Quest’s existing and new clients. “People don’t care how much you know…until they know how much you care”. Drew graduated with honors double majoring in Business Administration & Communications from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He also was a 4-year starter on the football team in college. Currently living in Mooresville with his wife Tammy and their son Bridger, Drew enjoys running, hiking, biking and hanging out with friends and family on Lake Norman. 

Rhonda Hollingsworth

Rhonda Hollingsworth

Operations

Bringing more than 20 years in account management to her position, Rhonda Hollingsworth is adept at working effectively in both independent and collaborative settings, consistently meeting strict deadlines and project specifications. Her enthusiastic and goal-oriented approach allows her to drive projects and lead cross-functional teams to successfully meet key deliverables. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, Rhonda completed her degree at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford prior to moving to Charlotte.

Jennifer Senos

Jennifer Senos

Marketing

Jennifer is a highly motivated business professional, bringing more than 20 years of marketing and sales experience to the Quest team. Her wealth of knowledge across a wide range of industries gives her a competitive edge as does her tenacity and drive to succeed.
Jennifer earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI. When not competing in the business world, she’s an avid triathlete and has completed several Ironman distance races.

Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson

M&A Investor Outreach

Bringing more than 25 years of leadership to Quest, Michael Johnson brings a wealth of sales and operational experience to the team. Michael leveraged his interpersonal skills to propel his career in consulting and recruiting management forward in multiple industries. Michael holds a master’s degree in education from The University of Bridgeport and earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Delaware State University. In his spare time, he is a devoted family man who is passionate about supporting youth development through soccer.

Jonathan Jordan

Senior Financial Analyst

A young financial professional with a background in financial consulting and personal tax preparation. His FINRA licenses along with state insurance paved the way for the start of his career, and his transition into financial analysis.

Jonathan earned his BSBA in Finance from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In his free time, he likes to work on cars or spend time with any of his 5 siblings. 

Carly Jordan

Financial Analyst

Carly has a background in M&A with a skill set that includes financial analysis, business valuation, and a keen attention to detail. As a financial analyst at Quest, Carly is an integral part of Quest’s client services, consulting, and production efforts. Carly graduated from Grand Valley State University with a BBA in Finance and Marketing. Outside of her role at Quest, she always enjoys trying new things and reading a good book.

Maya LaFleur

M&A Investor Outreach

Maya has a prior experience in client relation services and had recently worked as an accountant/bookkeeper for a private yacht that traveled throughout Europe and the Caribbean. She is a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas College in New York, where she played Soccer all 4 years.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends indulging in Boston sports.  Maya is also passionate about non-profit and volunteer work. 

Guiding business leaders on their Quest

Our Purpose

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Our Mission

To help business owners discover what they genuinely want out of their business and life—and to illuminate a clear path forward through the presentation of creative, smart solutions.

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Our Vision

To have all clients’ increase the likelihood of accomplishing their goals, along with increasing the value of their businesses and their personal net worth.

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Our Values

We work as a TEAM, focused on a common purpose. We CARE for our clients and LOVE our community, while being CATALYSTS for learning, growth and change. We CELEBRATE the wins with the humility of champions.

Giving Back

It’s part of who we are and what we do
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Learn more about Quest’s community outreach with the Make an Impact Foundation.