Our Story
Reengineering the Executive Search Process.
We’re the people you call when you want to find the right fit – the first time. As one of three LGBTBE-certified executive search firms in the country, Retained offers a unique solution to address your diversity spend goals and secure top-tier executives for your organization. Each principle of our executive search practice has at least 20+ years of leadership experience.
Meet Our Team.
Betsy Robinson
Founder & Ceo
Betsy Robinson is the accomplished entrepreneur behind Tier4 Group and its executive search division, Retained. Tier4 Group is a woman-owned, diversity-certified firm specializing in connecting top-tier tech and executive talent with the right opportunities. Headquartered in Atlanta and operating across the US, Tier4 Group blends cutting-edge recruitment automation with a personal touch, ensuring the best fit for both clients and candidates. Under Betsy’s leadership, Tier4 Group has experienced phenomenal growth, earning a spot on the Inc. 5000 list for seven consecutive years (2019–2025) and landing on Atlanta’s Pacesetters list five times. It’s also a four-time Bulldog 100 honoree, celebrating the fastest-growing businesses led by UGA alumni. Betsy herself has racked up some serious accolades, including being named LGBTQ Businessperson of the Year in Georgia (2023), Inc. Female Founder 250 (2024), and a Georgia Titan100 (2025). She was also recognized in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2019. A proud University of Georgia alum, Betsy holds a B.B.A. from the Terry College of Business. Beyond business, she’s deeply involved in the community, serving as Board President for Women in Technology (WIT) and previously holding board roles with the Technology Association of Georgia’s Diversity & Inclusion Society and the Business Advisory Board for ITT Technical Institute. But her most important roles? Wife and Mom. When she’s not leading her company or volunteering, you’ll find Betsy cheering on her son at the soccer field, out on the lake, or passionately rooting for Atlanta’s sports teams and, of course, the Georgia Bulldogs. Go Dawgs, Sic ‘Em!
Tino Mantella
President & Managing Partner
As President of Retained, Tino helps organizations make the most important decision they face: choosing the right leader. He has built a reputation for delivering exceptional C-suite talent, placing executives such as the Chief Product Officer for Deluxe, the CIO for Miller Zell, the Chief Data Officer for growing Fintech company and a VP of Finance for a prestigious not-for-profit organization . His approach blends rigorous assessment with a deep understanding of how leadership shapes culture, performance, and long-term enterprise value. Tino’s career has been defined by building and transforming organizations. He led the largest tech trade association in North America, scaling it more than one hundredfold. He grew a leadership development company by 200% in five years. He secured over $300 million in funding for mission-driven initiatives and directed more than $50 million in medical research investments. His work has earned national recognition, including Fast Company’s George Land Award. From founding a national security policy organization to leading a major gang-intervention initiative in Chicago, Tino has consistently taken on challenges that require vision, alignment, and decisive leadership. That same experience now informs his work at Retained, where he partners with boards and CEOs to identify leaders capable of driving meaningful, lasting impact.
Robert Bouchard
Chief Digital Officer
Mr. Bouchard is an established thought-leader in IT staffing, having implemented multiple programs surrounding international recruitment strategies, talent acquisition, work authorization, and third-party process during his 20-year career in the private sector. He has built global delivery teams using cutting-edge technologies in recruitment automation and talent analytics that have produced high volume output.
Patti Dismukes
Senior Advisor
Patti Dismukes is an executive search partner specializing in the placement of C-level executives across the technology ecosystem. With a reputation for flawless execution and deep industry relationships, Patti serves as a strategic talent advisor to boards and chief executives navigating critical leadership transitions. Combining rigorous methodology with a keen eye for organizational culture, Patti has successfully placed executives who have collectively generated billions in market value. Known for a rigorous, data-driven assessment process and a deep commitment to client alignment, Patti partners closely with organizations to understand their unique culture, strategic vision and market challenges. The consultative approach ensures not only a precise functional match but long-term leadership retention and cultural synergy. In addition to her Executive Search experience, Patti served in leadership roles for several regional, national and global companies. Additionally, she has led multiple enterprise-wide transformation initiatives focused on growing the company’s business model to adapt to changing marketing conditions providing firsthand understanding of operational and strategic pressures today’s leadership teams face. Patti’s dedication to improving the lives of young girls and women led to her involvement with Women in Technology, TechBridge and Year Up. She served six years on the WIT Board and was Board President from 2020-2023. During her tenure, she led organizational changes and assisted in the creation and support of innovative programs such as WIT Single Mothers Program, Board Readiness and WIT Career ConneXions. She served on the Board of Advisors for 3Ci, a technology staffing and solutions company from 2023 – 2025, providing her experience in helping expand their professional service offerings.
Jonathan Palombo
Marketing Communications Manager
Jonathan is an energized, results-oriented marketing professional who understands how to effectively combine a variety of media to achieve communication and business objectives while building revenue growth and opportunity. Over the course of his career, Jonathan has played an integral role in helping organizations revitalize their brand, reshape their marketing efforts, and drive measurable results through a marketing engine. He has gained experienced in multiple verticals that have spanned both B2C and B2B. As the Marketing Communications Manager at Retained, Jonathan leads the marketing function to drive brand awareness, lead generation, and business growth. With seven years of experience in marketing, Jonathan leverages several dynamic marketing channels achieve marketing objectives and business goals. His responsibilities include social media management and growth, content strategy, email marketing, SEO, regional expansion, enhancing digital presence, and more. Passionate about connecting top IT talent with the right opportunities, Jonathan leverages data-driven insights and creative storytelling to position Retained as an industry leader.
Kelly Ruane
Technical Sourcer & Recruiter
Kelly Ruane supports Retained with a sharp focus on sourcing top-tier executive talent, managing behind-the-scenes search operations, and directly recruiting for high-impact roles. She plays a key role in enabling the success of Retained’s by ensuring every search is strategically supported from start to finish. With a strong foundation in candidate research, pipeline development, and talent engagement, Kelly brings precision, persistence, and a people-first approach to every search she touches. Her ability to identify and connect with exceptional leaders ensures that our clients are introduced to candidates who not only meet technical requirements but align with organizational culture and vision. Kelly began her career in sales before transitioning into recruiting, where she quickly found her passion for building meaningful connections between talent and opportunity. Since joining Retained, she has contributed to the success of numerous executive searches. Known for her team spirit, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering a seamless search experience, Kelly is an essential part of the Retained team’s continued growth and success.
Melisa Huskic
Marketing Associate
As our part-time Marketing Associate, Melisa Huskic brings fresh ideas and an appetite for growth to our team. In her role, Melisa supports the execution of our marketing initiatives across digital channels, from LinkedIn to YouTube to email and web. She collaborates closely with the Marketing Communications Manager to create content, manage campaigns, assist with website updates, and bring fresh ideas to the table. She's already making an impact by helping us stay creative, organized, and audience-focused in everything we do. Before joining Retained, Melisa worked on the Marketing Committee at Georgia Gwinnett College’s Kaufman Library, where she helped elevate the library’s visibility through data-driven outreach, branding strategy, and engaging social content. Whether she’s analyzing trends or editing short-form videos, she brings a thoughtful, strategic, and creative approach to every project.
Core Values.
In Your Shoes.
Proven practitioners delivering exceptional executive talent.
Casting a Wide Net.
Uncovering diverse executive brilliance as part of every search.
Invested in People.
Transforming executive recruitment through a powerful alliance of human capability and state-of-the-art technology.
Dynamic Synergy.
Clients, candidates, our team, and the community. Relationships over transactions always.
Mission.
Our mission is to empower companies to thrive by providing them with diverse, quality candidates who bring unique perspectives, experiences, and skills to the table.
Vision.
Our vision is to be the preferred choice for technology and nonprofit executive search.
Building Resilient Teams With Diversity at the Core.
Our active participation in community organizations allows us to serve our community and gain access to networks full of diverse executive talent.
Building on Tier4 Group’s Legacy.
As an extension of Tier4 Group, Retained’s clients benefit from the extensive network and trusted reputation that earned Tier4 Group a spot in the Inc. 5000 for 5 consecutive years, along with 18 other awards and honors.
Tier4 GroupReady to Secure Top Talent?
Speak with Tino Mantella to start your executive search journey today.
