OWL Automotive Consulting Celebrates the Retirement of Co-Founder and Partner Tom Olney
Bumpass, VA | June 30, 2026 — OWL Automotive Consulting announces the retirement of Co-Founder and partner Tom Olney, effective June 30, 2026. His planned retirement marks an important leadership transition for the firm and ensures the continued strength of the values and approach established since OWL’s founding.
Tom’s retirement reflects a mutual decision aligned with both his personal goals and OWL’s long-term direction. With the firm in a strong position, he steps away knowing OWL is built on trusted relationships, sound fundamentals, and proven ways of working that will continue to guide the business forward.
Upon Tom’s retirement, Co-Founder and partner Sally Lopez will acquire his equity interest, becoming the sole owner of OWL Automotive Consulting. OWL will continue under Sally’s leadership, with clients experiencing full continuity across services, relationships, and overall approach. The principles Tom helped establish remain firmly in place, and there will be no disruption to ongoing work.
“Tom and I started OWL after a friendship that goes back to the early 1990s, and one of the greatest honors of my life has been building this firm alongside him,” said Co-Founder and partner Sally Lopez. “Tom is an incredible partner and the kind of person you hope to build a business with. OWL would not exist without his leadership, wisdom, and character. While we will miss working with him day to day, the foundation he built and the lessons he shared will continue to guide us as we move forward.”
“I could not have asked for a better group of people to close out my career with,” said Tom Olney. “Sally and I had a vision for OWL and have stayed in lockstep for 8 years as we grew OWL into a unique company built on the combined experience, values, and trust that Sally and I share. I have complete confidence in the team we’ve built and know they will continue to do incredible things. I’m looking forward to watching it all unfold from my spot on the lake. There truly is no business like the car business.”
With more than 40 years in the automotive industry, Tom brought deep experience, practical leadership, and steady judgment to OWL. His career included senior roles at Penske Automotive Group, AutoNation, and Huber Motor Cars, where he served in positions ranging from General Manager to COO and CFO. A CPA by training and a hands-on operator by nature, Tom guided more than 100 dealership acquisitions over the course his career and earned a reputation for integrity, transparency, and accountability from start to finish.
At OWL, Tom focused on Fractional CFO services, operational assessments, and financial and management efficiencies. Clients valued his direct style, thoughtful insight, and ability to see both the numbers and the people behind them. Internally, Tom was equally respected. Employees admired his dedication, steady insight, and ability to think both critically and practically. He had a way of cutting through complexity, asking the right questions, and offering guidance that was realistic and actionable. Just as important, he brought humor and perspective to the work, setting a tone that balanced high standards with approachability. His mentorship and candor left a lasting impression across the team.
As he steps away from day-to-day consulting, Tom looks forward to spending time at the lake with his wife, Amy, their dog Izzy and the opportunity to visit their children, while still keeping a close eye on the automotive industry.
OWL moves forward with confidence and deep appreciation for a partner whose legacy is defined by trust, excellence, and genuine care for people.