Like any business, we too believe that our people are the lifeblood of our organization and our greatest asset. The team we have assembled across geographies, industries and specialty areas were handpicked to deliver best-in-class service to our clients.
CEO
Alex is the chief executive officer of Synergetics, responsible for leading the Company’s growth and success.
Alex brings to Synergetics nearly 40 years of operational experience, having spent the past 30+ years as a senior-level business consultant before taking on the CEO role in 2019. His cross-functional and diverse industry background encompasses global conglomerates and private equity portfolio businesses, with an emphasis on process improvement and change management. Throughout his career, he has successfully guided companies through their business transformations, specifically in the areas of revenue enhancement, cost optimization, EBITDA generation, and cash flow improvement. He has worked with start-ups, small and midsize businesses and Fortune 500 companies, with significant expertise in mergers and acquisitions, business consolidation and corporate restructuring. Alex’s experience spans multiple industries, including consumer products, energy, financial and professional business services, healthcare, metals and mining, technology, and utilities, among others. He has extensive global expertise covering all continents, with a predominant number of engagements throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Prior to Synergetics, Alex served as a project manager with Alexander Proudfoot, a global operations consulting firm focused on operational transformation. Earlier in his career, he was a mining engineer and held various management roles with De Beers, responsible for multi-million dollar mining operations and engineering projects in Southern Africa.
Alex holds a Bachelor of Engineering and Mining Engineering, Camborne School of Mines & University of Exeter, UK; a Masters in Science, Systems Engineering, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Masters of Business Administration, Open University, United Kingdom; and a certification in Artificial Intelligence: Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing and Robotics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management.
President
Jim serves as president of Synergetics, responsible for driving client satisfaction and new business initiatives.
Jim has spent his nearly 40-year career with Synergetics and brings to the organization extensive experience across the spectrum of operational excellence. Throughout the years, he has been an integral part of the executive leadership team, responsible for building and maintaining long-term relationships with clients and partners, while concurrently leading business value creation and process improvement projects.
His expertise spans all facets of operations: manufacturing, supply chain optimization, planning, inventory management, distribution, warehousing, transportation, and more. He has employed Lean and Six Sigma techniques across the manufacturing, supply chain and service sectors, among others. Throughout his career, Jim has worked with companies to help realign their global operational footprints and spearheaded process re-engineering and change management campaigns. He has also worked as a hands-on operator to optimize facilities, leverage technology, and drive process reforms for sustained business and financial improvements.
Given his vast number of years and client engagements, Jim has seen it all and has supported clients on a global scale across many industries. His particular area of excellence is in the Consumer sector, which covers consumer durables, consumer services and retail, food and beverage, and household and personal products. His experience also includes Industrial sector, which spans aerospace and defense, transportation, automotive, capital goods, commercial and professional services, and materials.
As Jim drives many of Synergetics' due diligence and assessments, along with mergers and acquisitions campaigns, he has a much broader coverage of the markets and works with cross-functional teams to harness the best resources on behalf of the organizations clients.
Jim graduated from Fisher College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts.
Managing Director
Business Services
Gary Belliveau brings to Synergetics more than 20 years of operational consulting experience, helping companies drive sustainable business and financial improvements. He has spent a vast majority of his time working with Business Services companies, developing the knowledge and skillsets specific to the industries within, and as such, is now responsible for Practice oversight and driving results for all clients within the software and services, technology, hardware and equipment, and telecommunications industries.
Gary has led hundreds of business assessments, supporting due diligence, mergers and acquisitions and business consolidations, as well as organizational improvement programs. He is an accomplished global operations leader and subject matter expert in the areas of project and operations management, business assessments and analysis, financial planning and analysis, CRM, operational efficiencies, revenue assurance and cost management. He has worked across the globe, with particular emphasis in North and South America and throughout Europe.
As a Lean Six Sigma certified specialist, Gary leverages his expertise to help clients drive process and operational improvements through both better technology utilization and more effective sales and operations planning. He uses Lean principles in project delivery, set-up and oversight, and through implementation to ensure best practices and the most favorable financial outcomes.
Gary is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies and Economics. He received a Master Certificate in Lean Six Sigma from Villanova University.
Managing Director
Industrials
Jaro Volny brings to Synergetics almost 40 years of experience with a background spanning multiple industries and business functions within Fortune 500 and midsize organizations. A seasoned industry veteran, Jaro has worked on hundreds of projects across the globe, most notably in the Americas and throughout Europe. He is responsible for overseeing the Company's Industrial Practice, which includes aerospace and defense, transportation, automotive, capital goods, materials, and commercial and professional services.
Jaro is a specialist in program and project management, financial and cost analysis, change management, revenue enhancement and cost reduction, operations and supply chain management, business and process re-engineering, organizational design, sales effectiveness, and more. Jaro continues to leverage his past successes to help clients drive business and financial improvements, and sustain them.
Prior to joining Synergetics, Jaro ran his own consultancy practice, partnering with other consulting firms and companies to drive performance improvements. Previously, he served as SVP, Human Capital Management with ATLAS Traffic Management Systems, LLC and prior to that, SVP, Continuing Relationships & Business Development with Alexander Proudfoot. Earlier in his career, he held a number of senior leadership and consulting roles at Royal Caribbean, KPMG Consulting and Alexander Proudfoot. He began his career as a Mechanical Engineer with the UCSD Medical Center.
Jaro is a graduate from the University of California, San Diego, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He later received his Master of International Management, International Business and Finance from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Managing Director
Consumer
Jerry Tice joined Synergetics in 2018 to spearhead the Consumer Practice. He was chosen for this role given his vast experience across several consumer sectors, having served as an owner, operator and management consultant. He is an innovative operations and business development leader, responsible for driving business transformations and operational and financial improvements for his clientele. Jerry is responsible for all client engagements within consumer durables, consumer services and retail, food and beverage, and household and personal sectors.
Jerry has worked as a consultant for companies of all sizes across the globe. Throughout his career, he has been intricately involved in growth and operations, plan development and program execution to drive winning marketing and sales strategies, new business expansion and operational excellence. Whether manufacturing, supply chain, R&D, distribution or sales-related functions, Jerry brings hands-on experience into all organizational areas, always focused on enhancing efficiencies, and driving culture transformation and continuous improvement. He is a subject matter expert in the fields of project management, process and operations improvement, business analysis and assessment, change management, Lean manufacturing, and more.
Prior to joining Synergetics, Jerry served as a senior manager with The Lab Consulting company with a specific focus on business process improvement. Previously, he served as Chief of Operations at DeWolff, Boberg & Associates. Earlier in his career he held the positions of Managing Director, Endoge LLC; VP, Operations at Geo-Mining, Inc.; and General Manager at Ironwood Farms. He is also a serial entrepreneur, having started and run companies in the real estate investments, bulk aggregates transportation, construction, and agricultural sectors.
Jerry is a graduate of the University of Florida, graduating with a Bachelor of Science with dual majors in Economics and Animal Sciences. He received his Master of Business Administration (“MBA”) from Western Carolina University and his Master of Science (“MS”) in Applied Statistics from Penn State University.
Managing Director
Healthcare
West Johnson brings to Synergetics more than 35 years of consulting experience and is responsible for the management and oversight of the Healthcare Practice. In this role, he works with clients from various sectors, including medical devices and healthcare equipment, healthcare providers and healthcare services, healthcare technology and administration, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences. He is a hands-on operator, working with clients on all strategic, financial and operational matters.
West has an impressive track record of success, working with clients to deliver sustainable income statement and balance sheet improvements through a variety of operational excellence and process improvement campaigns. Specific areas of expertise include revenue cycle performance, labor productivity, supply chain optimization, organizational redesign, expense reduction, technology utilization, change management, and more.
Prior to joining Synergetics, he served as managing director at Huron Consulting Group, overseeing a variety of campaigns within the broad healthcare arena. Prior to this position, he was the eastern regional director at Stockamp & Associates, which was acquired by Huron. Earlier in his career, he held a variety of positions at Andersen Consulting.
West is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, with a BBA in Computer Information Systems. He is also a Certified Public Accountant and has two certifications from the Project Management Institute (PMI) – Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) and Project Management Professional (PMP).
Managing Director
Europe
Jorg van der Zanden is a seasoned industry veteran with over 25 years of operations and management consulting experience. He is responsible for overseeing European operations, servicing international clientele with footprints throughout Europe as well as in-country corporate enterprises.
Jorg has extensive experience across the advisory value chain, from research and analysis, results delivery, business development, and executive management. He has successfully managed projects around the globe, creating significant gains in operational performance and financial results, while helping his clients transform their businesses and implement best practices. He has partnered with small and midsize companies, as well as Fortune 500 enterprises, working across sectors and geographies, including North and South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Among his core specialty areas include project management, process and operations improvement, business analysis and assessments, revenue enhancement and cost reduction, footprint optimization, organizational design and restructuring, supply chain management, turnaround management, and more.
Before joining Synergetics, Jorg served as managing director and owner of JENTS International, a diversified enterprise focused on business transformations, turnaround situations and advisory services. Previously, he was managing director, Europe, at Maine Pointe, overseeing their European consulting operations. Earlier in his career, he held a number of leadership positions with consulting firms including: operations officer with ePM (Organization Performance by Design); senior partner with The Highland Group; and transformation consulting leader and principal with Gemini Consulting/Capgemini. He also filled the role of operators officer for a global firm supporting industrial companies in capital projects management.
Jorg is a graduate of European University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication and Public Relations. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration, graduating Magna cum Laude from the European University and later received his Post-Graduate Executive Education in General Management from INSEAD, Fourtainebleau.
Managing Director
Business and Supply Chain Solutions
Bill Wadman is a recognized expert in the field of supply chain management and brings over 25 years of experience both as an operator and management consultant. Bill works cross-functionality supporting many of Synergetics' client engagements, and oversees the Business and Supply Chain Solutions Practice area. He is intricately involved in assessments, implementation and oversight of business transformation projects, and has extensive experience working with start-ups, in addition to companies undergoing mergers and acquisitions, consolidations and corporate restructurings.
Bill has worked with regional and multi-national companies, implementing best practices in manufacturing, operations and supply chain management. As a certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt, he has worked on over 150 projects, leveraging his hands-on experience in the areas of architectural supply chain re-engineering, process improvements, facilities optimization, technology enablement, and operations management, all driven by Lean methodologies. His vast knowledge spans the gamut of operational excellence and among his core specialties include project management, supply chain and demand management, process and operations improvement, business analysis and assessments, systems implementation, facilities and operations consolidations, Lean Six Sigma manufacturing, logistics distribution and operations management, sourcing, procurement, and inventory management.
Prior to joining Synergetics, Bill served in the Canadian Army in the areas of logistics, supply chain and information technology. Earlier in his career, he worked at Valspar Coatings, where he served as the director of Logistics and Information Technology.
Bill is a graduate of Queen’s University, Kingston Ontario where we received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and later became an Army Command Staff College Graduate. He received his certification as a Master Black Belt Six Sigma and Black Belt Six Sigma specialist from Villanova University. He holds several other noteworthy certifications, among them included: HACCP Food Safety Certification from North Carolina State; Lean Mastery Certification from the University of Central Florida; Production Inventory Management (“CPIM”) Certification from APICS; QS9000 Auditor Certified from Durham College, Oshawa Ontario; and Permaculture Design Certification (Sustainability) from the Geoff Lawton Permaculture Institute.
Managing Director
Business Development
Jim Beach is a 20+ year industry veteran in the management consulting arena, with a proven track record in the areas of change management, Salesforce effectiveness, operational excellence, and profitability optimization. Due to his diverse background and skillsets, Jim supports Synergetics and its clientele cross-functionally, and he is also responsible for new business development and client satisfaction.
Jim has worked with small and midsize businesses, as well as Fortune 500 enterprises, helping clients transform their businesses, drive growth and savings, and improve their bottom-line performance. He has worked across many continents with particular emphasis in the United States, United Kingdom and India. He expertise spans multiple industries including automotive, construction, healthcare, professional services, retail, software and technology, and more. While Jim excels in a number of areas, his primary focus includes change management, process optimization, organizational redesign, operational improvements, and the use of Lean methodologies to drive organizational transformations and enhance shareholder value.
Before joining Synergetics, Jim was an associate with DeWolff, Boberg & Associates.
Jim is a graduate of Eastern Washington University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, with a major in Marketing and a minor in Economics. He received his Six Sigma Green Belt certification from Villanova University.
Director
Recruitment & Talent Development
Kate Plush brings to Synergetics more than 25 years of recruiting, talent management, and continuous performance improvement experience, leveraging her DEI certificate and MS in HR Management to drive operational excellence, employee engagement and improved financial results. She employs her experience to develop best-in-class solutions, with a focus on communications and training to sustain performance and put Synergetics in a position for continuous improvements.
Kate has worked in North America, with significant experience supporting companies with multiple locations, located in the United States and Canada. Today, she leverages her passion for HR in building high performing organizations through best practices in leadership development, talent acquisition and organizational design. A valued member of leadership teams, Kate has built HR functions in different industries with varying and transitional ownerships at critical inflection points, transforming HR into a value-add, key organizational function. By blending subject matter knowledge, strategic thinking, and executive acumen with proactive approach, high energy and engaging interpersonal style Kate delivers lasting measurable results.
Before joining Synergetics, Kate served as Vice President of Human Resources at National Marine Manufacturers Association, responsible for the entire employee life cycle from creating position descriptions to succession planning. Previously, she served as director of human resources for Marshall Associates where she recruited, retained, and engaged over 250 employees in 90 days after being awarded the service contract by a big box retailer. Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership roles at organizations both private and public.
Kate is a graduate of the Rutgers University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Quinlan School of business, Loyola University where she earned her MS in Human Resource Management. She received her DEI Certificate from Northwestern University.
Vice President
Business Solutions
Scott Sarro is a 30+ year management consulting veteran with vast operational experience on a global basis. Throughout his career at Synergetics, he has worked cross-functionally across most industry sectors and as such, has accumulated significant knowledge and expertise within the manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, distribution and warehousing, and service company arenas. He is a results-focused manager, and proponent of change management, supporting all Practice segments.
Throughout his career, Scott has worked with small and midsize organizations and Fortune 500 enterprises. His core specialty areas include financial analysis, process redesign and service level optimization, organizational design, management operating systems, and Lean enterprise techniques. He also specializes in due diligence and assessments, mergers and acquisitions, turnarounds, corporate restructurings, and the development and implementation of financial improvement programs. Scott has worked across most continents and recently has serviced companies operating in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, South America and across Europe.
Scott previously served as a board director of Xantrex Technology, Inc., which was acquired during his tenure as a director. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Boston where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He is a Lean Six Sigma Certified Black Belt.
Vice President
Finance
Lee Hoginski brings to Synergetics roughly forty years of financial management experience, having served as an accountant and consultant before owning his own CPA practice. In his current role, he is responsible for the day-to-day management of the finance department, including financial reporting, planning and budgeting, vendor management, audits, internal controls, and compliance.
In addition to his vast financial consulting experience, Lee has also served as a chief financial officer and controller for companies he has worked with throughout the years. He has been intricately involved not only with financial management, but in helping companies set up departments and instituting best-practice processes. He has helped companies in the start-up phase, all the way through exits (mergers and acquisitions), managing the business cycle through each stage of their growth.
Prior to joining Synergetics, Lee owned his own Accounting firm for over 30 years. He began his career at Deloitte. He is a subject matter expert in the areas of tax planning and compliance, business analysis and assessments, business forecasting, cost management, accounting systems, and the acquisition and disposition of businesses.
Lee is a graduate of Babson College where he received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He is a Certified Public Accountant (“CPA”) in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
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