Tom Altman

Tom is a fractional CIO/CTO at Altus CXO, specializing in helping businesses align technology with strategy to drive growth, improve efficiency, and prepare for the next wave of AI and automation. With more than 25 years of experience, Tom provides executive-level technology leadership to organizations navigating complexity, change, and opportunity.

At the core of Tom’s work is helping businesses gain clarity. Through Altus CXO’s ClearXO framework, he works with leadership teams to fully understand how their business operates across people, processes, systems, and data. This approach goes far beyond a traditional IT assessments - it creates a clear, actionable roadmap that enables smarter decisions, faster execution, and long-term operational improvement.

Tom is frequently brought in during critical moments: system replacements, stalled digital transformation initiatives, rapid growth, or when key technology leadership is missing. He helps organizations cut through noise and confusion, identify what’s actually holding them back, and build a practical path forward. His focus is not just on technology - but on how technology enables the business to scale, adapt, and compete.

A key area of Tom’s expertise is AI readiness and automation strategy. He works with companies to assess where they are today, identify realistic opportunities for AI adoption, and build the foundational systems and data structures required for success. Rather than chasing hype, Tom emphasizes a disciplined approach - ensuring that organizations first understand their current workflows before introducing automation or AI-driven solutions. This results in more sustainable, higher-impact outcomes.

Tom’s background spans both hands-on technical work and executive leadership. He began his career in web development before moving into leadership roles where he built and led technology teams, managed complex systems, and aligned IT strategy with business objectives. He has served as Director of Technology and Chief Technology Officer for high-growth ecommerce companies, where adaptability and execution were essential to success.

Throughout his career, Tom has delivered measurable, high-impact results. He helped scale an Inc. 5000 company from $7 million to more than $65 million in revenue by driving innovation, automation, and operational efficiency. He led six major ecommerce platform migrations, increasing revenue by 20% while minimizing disruption. He also designed and implemented a scalable technology stack that supported 900% business growth in just three years.

In addition to growth initiatives, Tom has deep experience in infrastructure modernization and digital transformation. He has led cloud migrations with zero downtime, ensuring continuity while improving scalability and performance. He has implemented enterprise communication systems that reduced costs by over $100,000 annually while improving operational efficiency. His work consistently focuses on simplifying complexity and creating systems that support long-term business success.

Cybersecurity and risk management are also central to Tom’s approach. He helps organizations identify vulnerabilities, strengthen network security, and implement practical safeguards that protect operations and data. In an increasingly complex threat landscape, his proactive and structured approach helps businesses stay secure while continuing to innovate.

What sets Tom apart is his ability to connect strategy to execution. Many organizations struggle not because they lack ideas, but because they lack clarity and alignment. Through ClearXO and his fractional leadership model, Tom brings both - ensuring that technology investments are intentional, prioritized, and tied directly to business outcomes.

Tom is also known for his leadership style. A strong believer in servant leadership, he focuses on empowering teams, building trust, and creating environments where people can succeed without fear of failure. He communicates complex technical concepts in a way that is clear and actionable for executives and teams alike, making him an effective bridge between business and technology.

His thought leadership extends beyond client engagements. Tom was a featured speaker at NetSuite’s SuiteWorld conference, where he shared insights on technology strategy and growth. He continues to engage in conversations around digital transformation, AI, and the evolving role of technology leadership in modern organizations.

Outside of his professional work, Tom values balance and creativity. He enjoys riding motorcycles, working on DIY projects, and spending time with his family. He has a passion for Volkswagens and co-hosts a motorcycle podcast, where he shares stories and insights from his experiences on the road.