Aaron Smith

Aaron focuses on strategy and shareholder relations, and reports to CEO Kamil Salame and CFO Vivake Bhalla. He joined Cranemere from Ares Management, where he was an Associate in its Corporate Strategy Group, working to grow the firm through M&A as well as strategic partnerships and investments.

Previously, Aaron worked at KKR in its Balance Sheet Group, which manages principal investments on behalf of the firm’s $25+ billion of balance-sheet capital. Aaron began his career as an Investment Analyst in the Private Credit Group at KKR. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

I joined Cranemere because of our unique approach to company ownership. Without ever having to sell its assets, Cranemere is free to focus on maximizing returns for stakeholders rather than on temporary swings in performance or market sentiment. This long-term orientation is a key differentiator in how we partner with management teams and create value in our businesses.

I like working with founders/entrepreneurs because I grew up with one as a parent, which has given me the opportunity to witness firsthand what it takes to transform an idea into a functioning enterprise. As a result, I carry deep respect for founders who look at the world differently and take risks to realize their vision.

I am a big fan of Citi bikes. I ride them to work most days, and on the weekends, I can often be found pedaling far up the west side of Manhattan or over the bridge to Brooklyn. With plenty of stations across the city, they make it easy to get around in a way that is both good for you and sustainable for the environment.