An operator's perspective on boards and leadership

Tom is a former engineering CEO and board leader with more than 40 years of experience growing professional services firms and developing high-performing teams. He brings an operator's perspective to governance, strategy, finance, enterprise risk, ESOP ownership, succession, and executive development.

As president and chief executive, he took on a company that was not consistently profitable and led its turnaround — strengthening accountability, financial stewardship, and culture to produce sustainable profitability. He then completed a 100% ESOP ownership transition, building a performance-owner culture that aligned employees, management, and the board around long-term value. That experience shapes how he advises owners and boards facing succession and transition today: it is possible to do it well, and the details matter.

His corporate operating experience is paired with extensive board service across corporate and nonprofit organizations. He knows what it is like to sit on both sides of the board table — as the executive being overseen and as the director doing the overseeing — and he works in a collaborative, mission-focused way that respects both roles.

He founded Leonidas Consulting to do the work he finds most useful: helping boards and CEOs think clearly, decide well, and follow through. Based in Bellevue, Washington, he works with privately held and middle-market companies and with nonprofit and community boards.