Our Mission Statement encompasses the values and ethics that dictate the way we conduct ourselves. Our mission is "To assist in the corporate growth of our clients; to assist in the personal growth of our employees; to grow profitably; and, to exceed the expectations of our customers, providing only the highest ethical standards and principles." This declaration explains why we work with diligence and assures those for whom we work that our efforts will be executed ethically and with great determination.

In 1981, Joe Kimmel and a partner founded Gulf Search, Ltd., in New Orleans, Louisiana, forming a two-man operation that was one of the earliest executive search firms to concentrate solely on the construction industry. In 1984, the operation moved to Asheville, North Carolina, trading in the historic Crescent City for the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. To mark the change, the company was renamed Kimmel & Fredericks and operated as a growing enterprise headquartered on a farm just south of Asheville.

By 1990, the organization had expanded to 30 people working as recruiters in the construction industry, and in 1991, the company moved to downtown Asheville. The other noteworthy landmark of that year saw the development of a philosophy of specialization, wherein each consultant focused on knowing his or her market and serving the clients in it with great dedication and knowledge.

By 1993, Kimmel & Associates diversified the executive search capabilities by expanding into new fields, which include freight forwarding, transportation, supply chain management, and solid waste & recycling.

By 2006, Kimmel & Associates is now one of the largest executive search firms in the country specializing in construction, freight forwarding, transportation, and environmental fields. It has successfully completed thousands of employee searches for more than 500 businesses and corporations throughout the U.S. and internationally.

In early 2007, Kimmel Worldwide Logistics changed ownership and its name to Diamond Worldwide Relocation (DWR). Now owned and directed by a 35+ year industry veteran, Phil Potzka, Diamond Worldwide Relocation is positioning itself to become the market leader in personalized international move management. Mr. Potzka brings a wealth of industry knowledge to DWR having successfully served the moving industry in various capacities over the years including packer, van foreman, dispatcher, freight forwarder, sales manager, general manager and regional manager for agents and van lines. He is committed to customer service and a Certified Relocation Professional (CRP).

Asheville, North Carolina
Everyone loves Asheville, North Carolina! Just look around our fine city and you will see tourists, transplants, and locals flourishing in a city that has been on every "top ten" list of places to live and visit. Our city motto, "Altitude Affects Attitude" sums it up.

People come from all parts of the world for the abundant natural beauty, friendly atmosphere, wealth of year-round outdoor activities, rich history and lively local arts and music scene.

They stay for the diverse economy, entrepreneurial opportunities, mild climate, high quality of life, and low cost of living. Asheville is one of the southeast’s most livable cities.

The Great Outdoors
Outdoor adventure possibilities never end in Asheville, with four navigable rivers, winter skiing, and all kinds of biking challenges: curvy roads for motorbike, miles of off-road trails for mountain bike, and the Blue Ridge Parkway and great roads for road biking. The area’s reputation continues to grow as an outdoor Mecca, with an annual festival devoted strictly to mountain sports and consistent ratings by publications as a top adventure town in the U.S. Soft adventure awaits car travelers and others less willing to hang from the side of a rock for thrills—the Blue Ridge, Great Smoky, and Black Mountains provide the perfect backdrop for spring color and fall leaf viewing, and easy hiking and picnic facilities abound off the Parkway.