As CEO of Springline Advisory, Tim is responsible for the overall strategic direction, leadership, and growth of the firm. Recognized for his values-driven leadership style, Tim has guided Springline since its public launch toward the goal of building a top-tier, middle-market business advisory leader and one of the most irresistible, people-first firms in the industry.
What excited you about joining Springline?
The opportunity to return to a noble profession and build an irresistible firm fashioned in the world of today and built for the horizon of tomorrow! We’re focused on serving the middle market and are co-creating a firm that will be vital to our clients and a window to learning journeys and meaningful work for our colleagues…what could be better than that?
Aside from family and friends, what’s one thing you can’t live without?
My sports card collection because I do it with my son and we are both really into it. It’s something I did as a kid and restarted with my son a few years ago and let’s just say…it’s a slippery slope!
What’s something about you that most people at work don’t know?
I was an orphan, adopted in Vietnam in the ‘70s from the Mother Hubbard Orphanage in Saigon run by Catholic nuns. I feel blessed every day of my life and have a pretty deep wellspring of optimism because of it.
Describe what Scale + Soul means to you.
It means Springline. It’s our mantra. It’s our mission. It’s our raison d’etre. It’s the lens through which we make decisions. It’s our yardstick. It means growth the right way – remaining true to our values and our culture.
What’s one of your favorite career moments?
That’s a tough question as I’ve loved every moment of my journey–both the ups and downs. As CEO of Springline, it’s been the opportunity to meet and commune with some incredible teams and talent as they learn about Springline and we get to learn about them. It’s been an amazing journey so far and we’re just getting started!
What unique perspective do you bring to Springline?
When I accepted this role, it was to build something different, new, and enduring. I don’t have the profile of a typical CEO of a PE-backed firm. I have only worked for two companies in my career prior to Springline with tenures of 10+ and 20+ years. I have only worked in professional services and have a deep commitment and comprehension of the importance of our most important assets: our clients and our talent. The lens I bring to this business is one rooted in a strong people-first culture constantly looking through the windshield of our business as we build the middle-market advisory firm of tomorrow.
How do you see the future of middle-market accounting and business advisory firms evolving?
The evolution is happening already. The profession will become more technology forward because clients and talent will demand it. There will be flatter organizations more tailored to ensuring that we are able to support our clients’ real-time business shifts and allowing for more dynamic, self-directed career and learning journeys for our people. At Springline, we believe in ownership beyond just the upper echelons of our firm and we hope our profession continues to trend in that direction.
What’s your vision for Springline in the next five and/or 20 years?
In five years, we will be a recognized player for middle-market accounting and advisory. We will have a national footprint, development in key verticals and will have the blueprint for the next 10+ years clearly in hand. In 20 years, I believe we will be one of—if not the preeminent—middle market accounting and advisory firms globally.