ECA Partners Grows Search Staff with PE Veteran
November 17, 2023 – Santa Monica, CA-based search firm ECA Partners has expanded with the addition of Curtis Wise as a senior director. “Curtis brings significant experience in lower middle-market and middle market private equity, as ECA continues to expand in the space,” said Burt Francis, managing director at ECA. “Most notably, he comes with a strong track record of supporting his PE clients on critical talent needs both during and after the transaction process. We’re excited to have him on board.”
Managing director Jason Blonstein outlined how Mr. Wise’s expertise will prove integral to the company’s next phase of growth: “We are thrilled to have Curtis Wise join ECA as a senior director. As ECA continues to grow, Curtis will help us reach new customers with his strong background in business development in both private equity and financial services.”
Mr. Wise has held key positions in the PE industry, including his prior role as director at Apex Leaders, a firm specializing in connecting private equity firms with seasoned executives and industry experts. Apex Leaders caters to due diligence, sector thesis development, and portfolio advancement support, offering critical solutions for private equity clients.
“Joining ECA Partners is not just a new chapter in my professional journey, but a significant leap forward,” said Mr. Wise. “The depth of expertise within the team, coupled with the firm’s unwavering dedication to its clients, truly stands out. I see a vast landscape of opportunities ahead, and I’m wholeheartedly committed to adding value to ECA while continuing my personal and professional evolution with such a dynamic team.”
Related: ECA Partners Recruits CEO for Transifex
ECA is a specialized project staffing and executive search firm focused on private equity and PE portfolio companies. They use a proprietary, evidence-based approach to recruiting that leverages data and technology. The firm uses a talent management system, CASCADE. Founded in 2010, ECA operates across five global offices and in 2023 was named one of Hunt Scanlon’s Top 50 Recruiters.
Atta Tarki is the founder and chairman of ECA. He leads ECA’s private equity and venture capital practice, where he supports PE-owned, VC-owned and other high growth companies with filling C-level positions. His primary focus is on CEO, COO, president, CFO, and chief strategy officer roles. Prior to ECA, Mr. Tarki led management consulting engagements at L.E.K. Consulting.
Recent Search
ECA Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Harsh Singh as the new chief executive officer of Vital Care Industries. “Based on Harsh’s healthcare background and previous roles in banking, business development, investment management, and operational leadership, we believe that he is uniquely suited to execute on a growth strategy that will significantly enhance Vital Care’s value,” said Johannes Zwick, managing partner, Broadtree Partners, the private equity firm that acquired Vital Care in 2021.
Mr. Singh brings a background in management consulting, investment banking, and in-house corporate development in the healthcare and life sciences space. He is a growth-oriented executive and venture capitalist with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry leading private capital financings, IPOs, origination, and deal structuring.
Related: ECA Partners Launches New Client Portal
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
