Building a Business Without Limits
About Tom Gores
Platinum Equity Chairman and
Tom Gores founded Platinum Equity in 1995 and has since grown the firm to over $30 billion in aggregate revenue upon acquisition across a diversified portfolio of companies. Tom’s guidance, core philosophies, and strong principles drive the strategic development and direction of both Platinum and its portfolio.
Tom Gores Early Career
Early in his career, Tom was an active investor in smaller businesses, where companies often trade principally on their good word and ability to follow through on what they promise. Here he developed his principles of empowerment, hard work, and integrity. As he delivered on commitments made to deal partners, investment bankers, and lenders, Tom’s ability to execute larger and larger transactions grew exponentially, making Platinum Equity one of the premiere private equity firms in the world, being recognized as one of Forbes “Largest Private Companies” within just 4 years of its founding.
Building a Business Without Limits
Believing that a team of outstanding people could meet almost any challenge, Tom began selecting the best and brightest he came in contact with to join him. The result is the Partners and Principals who lead Platinum Equity today. This top echelon of Platinum’s executive corps averages 12 years of tenure with the 17-year-old firm. Strong relationships, trust in people, and open communication remain key to Tom’s and Platinum’s momentum.
Business Strategy
When it comes to his business, Tom applies philosophies of swift and thorough diligence, sound acquisitions, effective management, and driving value through honest, intelligent operational improvement rather than financial engineering. M&A&O®, his pioneering vision of combining traditional M&A with operational insight, was the direct result of the combination of these philosophies. Tom’s differentiating strategy has borne tremendous results and track record, as evidenced by Platinum’s first fund, Platinum Equity Capital Partners I, which has been recognized as the top-performing U.S. buyout fund of its vintage.
Recognition
Top business publications have recognized Platinum as one of the most important private companies in America, most recently ranking 27th on the 2010 Forbes list of America’s Largest Private Companies and #1 on the 2010 Los Angeles Business Journal list of LA’s Largest Private Companies (pdf) as well as #6 on the LABJ 2010 list of LA’s Largest Private Equity Companies (pdf). Tom appears on both the Forbes list of the World’s Billionaires as well as the Forbes list of Richest Americans, and is among the youngest individuals ever to appear on either. Tom was named 2009 M&A Pro of the Year by Mergers & Acquisitions magazine. Download the article (pdf).
Personal Life
Mr. Gores, 47, lives in Beverly Hills, California with his wife, Holly, and their three children. He is an active and avid coach of youth soccer and basketball, and a patron of education, health issues, and the arts. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for LACMA (the Los Angeles County Museum of Art).