Eastward Partners Fills CEO Positions at Aropha and General Trucking

New York-based executive search firm places leaders at two portfolio companies

Mar. 12, 2026 at 9:03am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Eastward Partners, a New York-based executive search firm, recently assisted in the recruitment of CEOs for Aropha, a Comeback Capital-backed environmental testing and materials technology company, and General Trucking, an Advantage Capital-backed transportation and logistics provider. The firm placed Tammy Deblock as CEO of Aropha and Chris Meers as CEO of General Trucking.

Why it matters

The successful CEO placements at these two portfolio companies highlight Eastward Partners' expertise in identifying and recruiting top talent to drive growth and performance at private equity-backed organizations. The appointments come as both Aropha and General Trucking look to scale their operations and expand their market reach.

The details

Tammy Deblock, the new CEO of Aropha, brings experience working across international teams and global markets. Her leadership of diverse, cross-cultural groups has delivered meaningful improvements in performance and engagement, translating into improved operations and financial strength. Chris Meers, the new CEO of General Trucking, is a results-oriented problem-solver with strong business acumen and effective communication & collaboration skills. In his new role, he is responsible for full P&L across dedicated, regional, shuttle, and brokerage operations, leading strategic growth initiatives in automotive, manufacturing, and time-sensitive freight.

  • Eastward Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of CEOs for Aropha and General Trucking.
  • Tammy Deblock was placed as CEO of Aropha, a Comeback Capital-backed company.
  • Chris Meers was placed as the new CEO of General Trucking, an Advantage Capital-backed company.

The players

Tammy Deblock

The new CEO of Aropha, a Comeback Capital-backed environmental testing and materials technology company. She brings experience working across international teams and global markets, with a track record of delivering meaningful improvements in performance and engagement.

Chris Meers

The new CEO of General Trucking, an Advantage Capital-backed transportation and logistics provider. He is a results-oriented problem-solver with strong business acumen and effective communication & collaboration skills.

Eastward Partners

A venture-backed, retained executive search and human capital consulting firm with offices in New York City, Miami, Chicago, and London. The firm focuses on delivering talent acquisition solutions that lead to immediate and sustainable results within PE, PE-backed, and privately held organizations.

Brian Ippolito

The managing director at Eastward Partners, with over 17 years of executive search experience across growth-stage VC and PE-backed companies, specializing in GTM and C-suite roles.

Kristi Clay (Kamesch)

A director at Eastward Partners, specializing in executive search execution for clients across private equity in the middle and lower middle markets and their portfolios.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Congratulations to the team for a great outcome and for entrusting us with this important search.”

— Eastward Partners (LinkedIn)

The takeaway

Eastward Partners' successful placements of CEOs at Aropha and General Trucking demonstrate the firm's expertise in identifying and recruiting top talent to drive growth and performance at private equity-backed organizations. These appointments come as both companies look to scale their operations and expand their market reach, highlighting the value of strategic human capital management in the private equity space.