Founder
1954-2022

Creating a more equitable automotive manufacturing and technology ecosystem was the vision of our founder, Dan Smith. Throughout his career, and life, Dan believed that reputable, knowledgeable, fair-minded investment banking is the key to how any industry sees progress. For more than 30 years, until his passing in 2022, Dan established himself as the automotive world’s “go-to guy” for respected expertise and a keen eye for recognizing successful opportunities.

Within the Capstone team, Dan served as an inspirational leader, proving time and time again that it’s relationships that matter, and that there is no substitute for attention to detail, in-depth research, and innate market understanding. Without question, under Dan’s leadership, Capstone closed more auto aftermarket deals than any other investment banking firm of the time.

Dan also served as a frequent consultant to Government and Industry boards and professional organizations. His diverse transaction portfolio impacted virtually every conceivable aspect of automobiles, light trucks, heavy-duty trucks, and the businesses that surround them.

Dan received a BA degree in Economics (Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa) from Davidson College and an MBA degree in Finance from Duke University.

It is our honor and privilege to carry on his legacy.