TOM SPRINGER

Tom is an experienced professional with over 20 years of expertise in providing strategic planning, business development, interim management, and technical advisory services to private equity firms, portfolio companies, and public and private enterprises. He has been involved in more than 30 transactions, including mergers and acquisitions at the enterprise level.

Tom is recognized for his ability to solve complex business problems by aligning technology with business and operations. As a former C-Level leader, he brings invaluable perspective to his management advice, particularly in maximizing enterprise value, preparing owners for liquidity events, transferring ownership, and navigating complex transactions.

Tom’s approach involves creating productive sales and service teams, developing new business lines, and building strong client relationships, which ultimately drive enterprise value. He has extensive knowledge in telecommunications, systems integration, software development, and network management, which he leverages to support private equity and operating companies to drive growth.

Before coming to Schneider Downs, Tom was a managing partner at his firm and supported international work assignments in Spain, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, the UK, Ireland, Ethiopia, and Costa Rica.

Education

B.S.—Business Administration and Computer Information Systems, North Carolina Wesleyan
M.S.—Telecommunications, Johns Hopkins University

Professional and Community Involvement

U.S. Airforce Veteran

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Do you have a hobby/personal passion? 
I enjoy helping develop young athletes. I’ve coached wrestling, soccer, and lacrosse. It is awesome to watch young people grow in their technical skills and field IQ, play at their highest level, and progress.

What was the best advice you’ve ever received? 
Never underestimate anyone, and never quit.

Who is your role model?
My grandmother was selfless and always happy.

What was your childhood dream?
To compete in a Supercross against Roger De Coster or Bob Hannah.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your college self? 
Give more appreciation to the humanities – not just math, the sciences and sports.

People would be surprised to know that I…
I spent time in Ethiopia working for the IMF.

What is the best or most interesting thing about your career? 
I’ve had a fantastic career as a business owner, professional consultant, Fortune 500 executive, and private equity portfolio CEO, spending significant time working internationally.

What was your first job? 
Bailing hay and cutting wood for a farmer.

Do you have a “motto”? (spoken or unspoken)
Time kills all deals!

When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do? 
Spending time with my family.

Do you have advice for young professionals? 
Don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good, take risks, and lift everyone around you.

Our Thoughts On

FEATURED

Big Problem: A Not-for-profit Client Out Of 401(k) Compliance.


Big Thinking: Allowing More Contributions By Highly Paid Employees.

Shareholder JASON LUMPKIN serves as a Practice Unit Leader for SDAdvantage Retirement Solutions. He has more than 17 years of qualified retirement plan experience, primarily serving middle market, closely held businesses. His background includes plan design, documentation reporting, participant education, and ongoing administration for defined contribution plans, including employee stock ownership plans.
While working with one of our non profit clients, Jason’s team discovered that the organization was failing non-discrimination testing due to poor 401(k) participation among its employees. To address the issue, we recommended the implementation of a second retirement plan, a 403(b) plan, that would cover only the highly paid employees, allowing them to contribute the maximum amounts without concern for the limits imposed by the 401(k) plan’s non-discrimination testing. “These top employees were no longer constrained by the limits of the 401(k) plan testing results,” Jason said. “Plus, the organization no longer had to be concerned about the non-discrimination test. We also avoided implementing a “safe harbor” design in the 401(k) plan, which can result in costly employer contributions and vesting provisions that favor short-term employees.” Schneider Downs provides Big Thinking and Personal focus in delivering a variety of services for large and small businesses, both publicly and privately held, as well as nonprofit organizations, government entities and more. Through our commitment to thought leadership and knowledge management, we deliver the solutions our clients need with a personal commitment to service.

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