Our Story
Tilly and Chris's partnership traces its roots back to 2007 when they first met during the U.S. Coast Guard Academy's "swab summer." Through the trials and triumphs of their cadet days, they formed an unbreakable bond, helping each other overcome adversity and celebrate accomplishments. Roland Hall, their college's athletic facility, served as their shared sanctuary, where they witnessed firsthand each other's dedication, work ethic, and a steadfast commitment to the team's success.
They served together as military officers aboard USCGC SHERMAN (WHEC-720), where they co-led search and rescue missions in the Bering Sea and conducted maritime interdiction operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean. These experiences not only fortified their leadership skills but also solidified their ability to work seamlessly as a team under high-pressure circumstances.
As they began their civilian careers and developed complementary skill sets in their respective professions, Tilly and Chris couldn't shake a dream they had long shared: to operate a business together. Fueled by their enduring friendship and guided by their shared values of trust, perseverance, and grit, they decided to make that dream a reality. With the support of their loved ones and the guidance of trusted mentors, Tilly and Chris embarked on their entrepreneurial journey, culminating in the launch of Roland Hall Partners.
Our Team
Chris “Tilly” Costello
Tilly grew up in the suburbs south of Boston, MA, in a family that impressed on him the values of service, empathy, and hard work from a young age. Both of his parents started their own businesses despite not having the opportunity to attend college, which allowed Tilly to learn first-hand the power of determination, perseverance, and entrepreneurial spirit. Tilly’s family always underscored the importance of kindness, humility, and a love of learning in him and his siblings.
Tilly attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where he played football and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business. Upon graduation, Tilly served as a Coast Guard officer for six years, both as a ship driver onboard USCGC SHERMAN and as a deployable team leader at the Maritime Security Response Team. Tilly's military career provided him with invaluable lessons on resilience and the transformative power of learning from setbacks and overcoming obstacles.
Tilly transitioned from military service and earned an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business. Since graduating, he has worked at PwC in M&A consulting, focusing on due diligence and post-merger integration, as well as at Amazon in business development and vendor management. Through these experiences, Tilly brings an analytical mindset combined with a human-centered approach.
In his free time, Tilly enjoys reading, traveling, Boston sports, college football, and spending time with friends and family.
Chris Tarbell
Originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Chris grew up in a hard-working family of veterans, emergency responders, public-school teachers, and healthcare workers. In those early years, he learned the importance of perseverance, determination, and compassion.
Chris attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where he played soccer and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business. After graduation, Chris served as a Coast Guard officer for five years, leading search and rescue teams in the Bering Sea and contraband interdiction teams in the eastern Pacific Ocean. More recently, Chris was an attorney in Blank Rome LLP’s finance group. At Blank Rome, he represented a wide range of small businesses and financial institutions in mergers, acquisitions, and various other secured transactions.
Chris and his wife Meredith live in the Philadelphia suburbs with their three young children. On top of being an all-star mom and supporting Chris’s endeavors, Meredith works as a pediatric Nurse Practitioner at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Chris and Meredith spend their free time with friends and family, shuttling kids to a growing list of practices and activities, and watching their favorite Philadelphia sports teams.
Our Investors & Advisory Team
Roland Hall Partners is fortunate to be backed by a group of investors and entrepreneurs with proven track records of acquiring and growing businesses. We are able to access capital and expertise through an advisory team with decades of experience across a broad range of industries.
Alex Stavros, CEO, Embark Behavioral Health