Need: Finding a Director of Development
Service: C-Suite Search
Organization: American Sign Museum
When the American Sign Museum found itself in need of an enterprising fundraiser to further develop philanthropic support for the museum, Director David Dupee called on longtime partner, The Yunker Group, to find an experienced and enthusiastic candidate.
“It was a fantastic experience, as I’ve come to expect from The Yunker Group,” shared Director, David Dupee. He added, “The job market and economy are pretty volatile right now, and The Yunker Group helped us find an excellent person who we think will be a great fit for this role.”
Reflecting on her experience during the search, successful candidate Merrilee Luke-Ebbeler said, “I’ve had some very frustrating experiences interviewing with other organizations, but this was the polar opposite. The communication with Jim [Yunker] and Jody [Duckwall] was absolutely excellent. I never ever felt like I didn’t know what was going on. I was never left hanging. I felt respected and valued. Even if I hadn’t gotten the job, I had a truly wonderful experience.”
David appreciated The Yunker Group’s high level of professionalism and their thorough, methodical approach to the search process. He also noted that “By bringing in additional expertise, specifically Irene Harrington who administered the PXT Assessment, The Yunker Group provides an even greater level of assurance that the chosen candidate will be the right fit.”
Ultimately, David felt ASM couldn’t have been in better hands while making this important decision: “I trust [Jim] and Jody completely. You’re simply not going to find a more professional firm with a more impressive track record. Jim is about to be honored with the AFP Lifetime Achievement Award, and there’s very good reason for that. His background and his accomplishments speak for themselves. He’s also just a phenomenal human being who is incredibly passionate about the organizations he represents. This is a relationship, it’s a partnership, and I couldn’t recommend The Yunker Group more highly.”
Merrilee echoed David’s praise: “The Yunker Group is very well-connected, very knowledgeable, and has tremendous experience in this field. They are professional, personable, and I would highly recommend them to any organization looking for support with a hiring process.”
Named the nation’s #3 Pop Culture Museum in 2025 (according to USA Today), the American Sign Museum’s celebrates the history of American signage through education and preservation. Some say it’s a stroll down memory lane, but it is so much more – www.americansignmuseum.org.