Local Leaders
Davis Kuykendall
Davis Introduced Search to Charlotte in 1992 and serves as our area director. He holds degrees in Engineering from Vanderbilt University, an MBA from the University of Arkansas and a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary. Before he landed in vocational ministry, Davis was a Marketing Representative with IBM’s National Accounts Division. Davis has served on the boards of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, YMCA’s Camp Harrison, and the Charlotte Leadership Forum. Davis and Valerie have three grown children.
Davis Kuykendall
dkuykendall@searchnational.orgDavis Introduced Search to Charlotte in 1992 and serves as our area director. He holds degrees in Engineering from Vanderbilt University, an MBA from the University of Arkansas and a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary. Before he landed in vocational ministry, Davis was a Marketing Representative with IBM’s National Accounts Division. Davis has served on the boards of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, YMCA’s Camp Harrison, and the Charlotte Leadership Forum. Davis and Valerie have three grown children.
Ken Schultz
Ken joined the Search Charlotte staff in 1999. He worked with Young Life for 17 years in Tennessee and the Carolinas before settling in Charlotte, where he served as associate pastor for Mecklenburg Community Church for several years prior to coming to Search. He received his BA degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. At Fuller Theological Seminary he earned his Masters of Divinity. Ken is married to Kim and has three sons and one daughter and seven grandkids
Ken Schultz
kschultz@searchnational.orgKen joined the Search Charlotte staff in 1999. He worked with Young Life for 17 years in Tennessee and the Carolinas before settling in Charlotte, where he served as associate pastor for Mecklenburg Community Church for several years prior to coming to Search. He received his BA degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. At Fuller Theological Seminary he earned his Masters of Divinity. Ken is married to Kim and has three sons and one daughter and seven grandkids
Chad Blankenburg
Chad and his wife, Debbie, moved to Charlotte in 1998. They have two sons, Griggs and Kent. Griggs is a freshman at Auburn University, and Kent is a junior at Carmel Christian School where Debbie is Director of Admissions. Chad received his BA from Wake Forest University. Before joining Search in 2017, his work history included working on Capitol Hill, banking & investments and 15+ years in the insurance industry. He brings a rich history of walking with the Lord, relational ministry, and a desire for others to know what he has found in Christ. Chad is active with F3 (Fitness, Fellowship and Faith) and helps to establish & coordinate “3rd F” groups.
Chad Blankenburg
cblankenburg@searchnational.orgChad and his wife, Debbie, moved to Charlotte in 1998. They have two sons, Griggs and Kent. Griggs is a freshman at Auburn University, and Kent is a junior at Carmel Christian School where Debbie is Director of Admissions. Chad received his BA from Wake Forest University. Before joining Search in 2017, his work history included working on Capitol Hill, banking & investments and 15+ years in the insurance industry. He brings a rich history of walking with the Lord, relational ministry, and a desire for others to know what he has found in Christ. Chad is active with F3 (Fitness, Fellowship and Faith) and helps to establish & coordinate “3rd F” groups.
Steve Gardner
Steve joined the Search team in 2020 after serving 27 years with Young Life in Indiana, West Virginia, Ohio, and most recently as the Regional Director for North and South Carolina. Steve also volunteers with the Charlotte Country Day ministry, where he continues as a varsity assistant football coach. His wife Lisa also serves at Country Day, where she teaches public speaking and journalism after finishing an 20 year career as a television anchor and radio host. Together they have a high schooler, Grace, and a middle schooler, Grant, whose Dixie Little League baseball team Steve coached to Charlotte’s first ever World Series Championship in the summer of 2019.
Steve Gardner
sgardner@searchnational.orgSteve joined the Search team in 2020 after serving 27 years with Young Life in Indiana, West Virginia, Ohio, and most recently as the Regional Director for North and South Carolina. Steve also volunteers with the Charlotte Country Day ministry, where he continues as a varsity assistant football coach. His wife Lisa also serves at Country Day, where she teaches public speaking and journalism after finishing an 20 year career as a television anchor and radio host. Together they have a high schooler, Grace, and a middle schooler, Grant, whose Dixie Little League baseball team Steve coached to Charlotte’s first ever World Series Championship in the summer of 2019.
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