James Pemberton
Founder & AEO Strategist
helping entrepreneurs grow their influence and income, without ever begging for business
About
Profile Summary
James Pemberton built the BDB Playbook, the four-stage method behind Build Don't Beg. He is a U.S. Navy veteran who has recruited senior care executives since 2009, with more than 300 placements, and has practiced SEO since 2013, and he now builds for answer engines as well as search.
He runs his own companies on the same method, including Engaged Headhunters, ProHireHQ and BookMoreTeeTimes.ai, and teaches it to founders and recruiters through Authority Builders.
Key Focus Areas
Beyond Work
James is passionate about building relationships, golf, and building time-saving systems. He lives by the motto:
"Build authority so you don't have to beg."
Featured Highlights
EngagedHeadhunters.com
Executive recruiting firm specializing in healthcare and technology
Build Don't Beg Coaching
Authority-building systems for recruiters and businesses
BDB AI Stack
AI-powered agents and recruitment automation ecosystem
Experience
Founder
BDB Coaching LLC, doing business as Engaged Headhunters
2022 to Present
Runs executive search as Engaged Headhunters and coaches founders and recruiters through Build Don't Beg, both on the BDB Playbook.
Healthcare Executive Recruiter
Proactive Healthcare Recruiters
2012 to 2023
Placed clinical and executive talent across home health and hospice.
Healthcare Marketing Consultant
Proactive Search Partners
2014 to 2023
Built inbound marketing systems for healthcare businesses using SEO, PPC, and digital strategies.
Recruiter
Search One Inc. and Endevis
2009 to 2012
Started recruiting with Search One in 2009, then Endevis.
Insurance Sales
Guardian and New York Life
2007 to 2009
Sold insurance before moving into recruiting.
Aviation Electronics Technician
U.S. Navy
1997 to 2007
Maintained and repaired F-14 Tomcat systems, supervised 30+ personnel, and served as an Information Site Security Officer managing network security for 2,000+ users.
Skills & Expertise
Education & Credentials
MSIA, Information Assurance
Norwich University
🏅 Honor: Cum Laude
BSIT, Computer Technologies
Strayer University
Professional Certifications
📜 MCP, A+
Build the authority that brings the work to you.
The BDB Playbook is the method James runs his own companies on. Book a strategy call to map where you stand on each of the four stages, or join Authority Builders and build it yourself with us.