User Profile--Advanced . . . ?

I'm just getting started and am not terribly technical, but in order to make my forum work the way I need to, I need more control over user profiles and user groups.

I need different profiles for different groups of users. One type of group is fairly public, no problem. The other group, however, requires significantly more detail. I would like the ability to define all types of fields, drop-down, check box, radio buttons, etc. All with the control over which fields are made public and the other typical control characteristics.

Ideally, I would like these fields to be searchable when looking for users or user posts.

One way or another, I have to make this happen. I was originally thinking I would have a separate database of people who have registered in a different place on the website, and then tie them in somehow to the forum. I think it would be easier to have the profile managed by vB, if possible.

Has anyone done this? Is there anything out there? Or would anyone be willing to help me? Thanks,