At a glance

Tom advises business owners, executives, and boards on M&A strategy, exit planning, business valuations, and transaction execution across the middle market. His work focuses on helping companies design and implement clear pathways to ownership transition—whether through a sale, recapitalization, management buyout, family transfer, or strategic growth event.

As Managing Director of Dopkins Capital Advisors LLC, Tom leads teams that support clients through the full lifecycle of a transaction. This includes valuation analysis, readiness assessments, financial modeling, buyer/seller preparation, and execution support for both sell-side and buy-side engagements.

Tom has advised organizations across industries including aerospace & defense, food and beverage, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and professional services. He blends technical rigor with practical, owner-focused guidance to simplify complex decisions and maximize transaction outcomes.

At the beginning of his career Tom spent seven years teaching and conducting academic research as a faculty professor at the University of Michigan, Syracuse University, and Baruch College. Tom has taught over fifteen courses in mathematical finance, fixed income securities and regression analysis at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. As a researcher, Tom has seven publications to date in peer-reviewed financial and mathematics journals.

A Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA^®), Tom is well-suited to examine the financial health, marketability, and growth prospects to determine the fair value of a business. In addition, as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), Tom is uniquely qualified to provide business owners with an investment strategy and high-level investment management as they build, protect and transfer wealth.

Education

• Ph.D. – Boston University
• Master of Arts, Financial Mathematics and Statistics – Boston University
• Bachelor of Arts, Mathematics – The College of the Holy Cross (Summa Cum Laude)

Designations

• Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA^®)
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA^®)
• FINRA Series 63, 79, 82, and Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) licenses

Industries Served

• Aerospace & Defense
• Food and Beverage
• Manufacturing
• Transportation and Logistics
• Professional Services
• Privately-Held & Family Owned Businesses

Community Commitment

• Member, Board of Directors Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation
• Community Involvement: Certified Yoga Instructor

Research & Publications

Coauthor, RETurning to REITs, an examination of the valuation and return performance of real estate trusts (RETs), the 19th century predecessors of real estate investment trusts (REITs). Journal of Real Estate Research (Published online November 6, 2024).

Blog Posts:

• Enhancing buyer confidence and value through sell-side readiness
• The evolution of data analytics in M&A due diligence
• M&A disputes outlook

News & Events:

• Guest author, Business First of Buffalo and Albany Business Journal: How Manufacturers Can Maximize Value in Today’s M&A Market (November 2025)
• Guest author, Business First: Selling your business with an edge: The winning strategy (February 2025)
• Guest author, Business First: Delivering successful business transfers through powerful exit plans (June 2024)
• Thomas J. Emmerling Joins Dopkins, leads Dopkins Capital Advisors Service Area