Tom A. Smith has been Director for the Leica Akademie USA for over a decade. He has been on a mission to bring the experience of working with a Leica to a whole new generation of photographers. To date, he has created or lead experiential programs and trips for more than 5,000 photographers around the world.

A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design. Tom has a background in theatre and photojournalism. Prior to joining, Leica, he worked with end consumers, photo dealers and some of the most respected photographers in the industry, in technical training and education positions at The Disney Institute and Nikon USA.