As Chief Operating Officer at Ropella 360, Eric Krause plays a central role in driving the firm’s operational excellence while remaining actively involved in client-facing work that delivers meaningful results. With more than a decade at Ropella, Eric brings a rare blend of executive search expertise, strategic leadership, and operational insight that ensures clients receive consistent, high-impact outcomes.

Eric’s career at Ropella reflects deep institutional knowledge and sustained performance. He began as an Executive Search Consultant, advanced to Client Partner, later Vice President, and now serves as COO, overseeing HR, IT, Finance, Fulfillment, and Sales Operations. This progression gives Eric a comprehensive, end-to-end perspective on executive search and advisory—from understanding leadership needs at the ground level to building the systems and teams that support scalable success

In recent years, Eric has spent significant time driving success as a Client Partner on major, complex engagements, supporting clients across buy-side, sell-side, and growth initiatives. He is deeply involved in Ropella’s Deal Flow Accelerators® program, partnering with private equity firms and operating companies to unlock proprietary deal flow, align leadership strategy with investment objectives, and support value creation throughout the transaction lifecycle.

Eric is particularly passionate about helping organizations build sustainable leadership teams. He leverages behavioral and personality assessments to support confident hiring decisions, improve cultural alignment, and reduce long-term leadership risk.

Eric holds an MBA from the University of West Florida, a BS in Business Administration from the University of Florida, is Hogan Assessments Certified (Advanced), and is a graduate of Cornell University’s Advanced Program for Executive Search and Leadership Consulting

Outside the office, Eric enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, listening to audiobooks, and getting outdoors whenever possible. He is also a proud University of Florida athletics fan.

Looking for an executive who can drive growth, transformation, or post-transaction success?

Explore how Eric and the Ropella 360 team support organizations through Executive Search, Private Equity Services, and Deal Flow Accelerators®—or connect directly to start a conversation.