Tom Smiley is a Los Angeles–based value-creation and M&A consultant, currently an Associate Director at Crosslake Technologies, an advisory firm of former operators that guides private-equity investors and management teams on technology decisions. He leads commercial strategy teams, applying human-centered design to problems in technology, healthcare, financial services, and automotive.
Smiley's path began in automotive design strategy — founding Autoforma, analyzing alternative-fuel vehicles at The CARLAB, and earning an MS from ArtCenter College of Design, where he now serves on the faculty. He moved into consulting at West Monroe, transaction advisory at KPMG, and mergers and acquisitions as a Vice President at Houlihan Lokey from 2021 to 2024, before joining Crosslake in 2025. He holds a BA from California State University, Long Beach.
I know Tom through 📝The Motoring Club.