Team / Plain Style

Personnel 3 Columns

Dale Gillmore

Dale Gillmore

Founder

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

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

Director of Business Development

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

Investor Development

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.

Ed Marxen

Ed Marxen

Business Development

Ed is a retired banker with 45 years of experience with Wachovia Bank and Yadkin Bank. He serves in a wide range of capacities from Credit Analyst to Branch Manager, Commercial Banker, and Regional President. During his banking career he opened a de nova office and merged a savings & loan into Wachovia Bank.

Ed graduated from The Citadel and served as his class agent for 10 years, raising a now $1M scholarship. He served on active duty in the US Army and US Army Reserves for 28 years, retiring as a Colonel.

John McKee

Business Development

John spent well over a decade in Wealth Management with Fortune 100 companies.  He graduated from Loyola Graduate School of Law, JD, University of New Orleans MBA, and from ECU with a B.A.  John had the honor to lead Victory Junction Camp as President/CEO for four years.  John’s development consulting background has also benefitted conservation, public education, special needs, and the like.  As the father of quadruplets who are all in college, John is very motivated.  His conservation experience and knowledge landed him on the board of NCWHF.  When not a work, he enjoys the great outdoors with his family and friends. 

Without Space

Personnel 4 Columns

Ron Niekro

Ron Niekro

Partner

Kristin Couch

Director of Business Development
Dave Swartzendruber

Dave Swartzendruber

Investor Development

Personnel With Carousel

  • Dale Gillmore

    Dale Gillmore

    Founder

    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

    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

    Director of Business Development

    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

    Investor Development

    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.

  • Ed Marxen

    Ed Marxen

    Business Development

    Ed is a retired banker with 45 years of experience with Wachovia Bank and Yadkin Bank. He serves in a wide range of capacities from Credit Analyst to Branch Manager, Commercial Banker, and Regional President. During his banking career he opened a de nova office and merged a savings & loan into Wachovia Bank.

    Ed graduated from The Citadel and served as his class agent for 10 years, raising a now $1M scholarship. He served on active duty in the US Army and US Army Reserves for 28 years, retiring as a Colonel.

  • John McKee

    Business Development

    John spent well over a decade in Wealth Management with Fortune 100 companies.  He graduated from Loyola Graduate School of Law, JD, University of New Orleans MBA, and from ECU with a B.A.  John had the honor to lead Victory Junction Camp as President/CEO for four years.  John’s development consulting background has also benefitted conservation, public education, special needs, and the like.  As the father of quadruplets who are all in college, John is very motivated.  His conservation experience and knowledge landed him on the board of NCWHF.  When not a work, he enjoys the great outdoors with his family and friends. 

  • Drew Partridge

    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

    Executive Support

    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.

Divider, Excerpt, Social icon can be disabled

Personnel With Carousel

  • Dale Gillmore

    Dale Gillmore

    Founder

    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

    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

    Director of Business Development

    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

    Investor Development

    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.

  • Ed Marxen

    Ed Marxen

    Business Development

    Ed is a retired banker with 45 years of experience with Wachovia Bank and Yadkin Bank. He serves in a wide range of capacities from Credit Analyst to Branch Manager, Commercial Banker, and Regional President. During his banking career he opened a de nova office and merged a savings & loan into Wachovia Bank.

    Ed graduated from The Citadel and served as his class agent for 10 years, raising a now $1M scholarship. He served on active duty in the US Army and US Army Reserves for 28 years, retiring as a Colonel.

  • John McKee

    Business Development

    John spent well over a decade in Wealth Management with Fortune 100 companies.  He graduated from Loyola Graduate School of Law, JD, University of New Orleans MBA, and from ECU with a B.A.  John had the honor to lead Victory Junction Camp as President/CEO for four years.  John’s development consulting background has also benefitted conservation, public education, special needs, and the like.  As the father of quadruplets who are all in college, John is very motivated.  His conservation experience and knowledge landed him on the board of NCWHF.  When not a work, he enjoys the great outdoors with his family and friends. 

  • Drew Partridge

    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

    Executive Support

    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.