Talk with a Ronin: Bass Lines and Code Lines: Tom Smith’s Rōnin Groove

When Tom Smith joined Rōnin Consulting in 2022, he wasn’t just looking for a new job; he was looking for a challenge. 

“I’d been at my old company for nearly a decade,” he recalls. “It was small, three or four people, and my role was carved in granite. I was great at it, but it wasn’t paying enough, and it wasn’t exciting anymore.” 

After finally flipping the LinkedIn switch to “open to work,” Tom was surprised by how quickly things changed.  

“The next day, a recruiter from Rōnin reached out,” he laughs. “I had an interview in my car during lunch. Within a week, I had a new job and a much better paycheck. It didn’t take long for me to realize how much I needed that change and how thankful I was for choosing Rōnin.” 

Learning in Motion 

Tom’s first project at Rōnin was a trial by fire: new systems, new technologies, and a very different way of working. 

“I walked straight into the unknown,” he says. “But that’s kind of what I do. I’ve been coding since 1995, and if there’s one thing that’s stayed constant, it’s that I’m always learning something new.” 

That adaptability paid off. After wrapping up his first project, Tom transitioned to a healthcare client, then to an insurance client, where he helped design a large, complex Azure solution that further expanded his technical toolkit.  

“I basically learned Azure on that project,” he says. “I had to design something big from scratch. Toward the end, another developer came in, took what I built, and put it into hyperspace. I learned a ton from that.” 

A Culture That Has Your Back 

After years in small, static teams, Rōnin’s collaborative environment was a revelation.  

“The culture here is totally different,” Tom says. “We’ve got these Technical Account Managers (TAM) who have your back. They’re like a shop steward for developers. If a client’s internal politics start getting in the way of progress, your TAM helps shield you from it so you can stay focused on the work. It’s incredible.” 

He also credits Rōnin’s tight-knit community for his growth. “If it weren’t for being able to reach out to other Rōnins who’ve been there and done that, I’d be in trouble. That kind of support means a lot.” 

And when it comes to AI, Tom’s all in. “I use AI every day. GitHub Copilot, Claude, you name it. It helps me test ideas, learn new approaches, and keep from bothering my teammates. AI’s not perfect, but it’s a great sparring partner.” 

Tom Smith’s Life Outside the Screen 

When Tom isn’t coding, you’ll find him on stage. “I play bass and lead guitar. Music is like breathing for me,” he says. “I host a weekly open mic, play in a swing band, and gig around Knoxville all the time. I can barely go out to play without someone asking me to join another band.” 

He’s currently rocking a new five-string Fender Jazz Bass, which is his latest obsession. “It’s heavy enough that it should come with a chiropractor!”  

Tom lives in Knoxville with his wife, Susan, and they have been married for 13 years. This past year, Tom has been on a major health kick—losing over 40 pounds in 2025. And how did he do it? “I cut out sugar, started walking and lifting every other day, and switched from coffee to mushroom coffee. The coffee bit sounds weird, but it works, and I have more focus and energy than I’ve had in years.” 

At Rōnin for the Long Haul 

Looking back, Tom says joining Rōnin changed everything. “It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he says. “The work challenges me, the people support me, and the culture fits. I joke that I’m a dinosaur, but Rōnin keeps me learning and moving forward. You’re going to have to hit me with a stick to get me out of here.”