Christian Primeau
CEO
CHRISTIAN PRIMEAU
CEO
Prior to joining Syntax, Chris was President & COO at Dialogic, a Novacap company. He oversaw R&D, operations, marketing, product management, finance, and administration. Chris has over 25 years industry experience, much of it in executive roles with public and private growth-oriented companies in operations, engineering, delivery, sales, and general management roles. Chris spent the early part of his career at Sun Microsystems where he initially joined as a Pre-Sales Engineer. In his thirteen years with the company, he held a number of key management positions in Montreal, Toronto, and Menlo Park California where he served as VP Partner and Alliances, Sales Director, Client Executive and Business Development Manager for ERP and E-Commerce solutions.
Chris then joined Bell Canada where he spent six years in various executive roles. He joined as General Manager of Infrastructure Services and subsequently held the roles of Vice President of Client Service Delivery, and Vice President of Sales with Bell Canada. He then took on the role of President and COO of iWeb Technologies, a leading provider in cloud solutions. Chris supported the team in the development and execution of next generation cloud and managed services delivering double-digit revenue and ebitda growth.
He holds a Bachelor Degree in Management Information Systems and a Masters of Business Administration(MBA) from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
Ryan Etinson
Co-President
RYAN ETINSON
CO-PRESIDENT
Ryan Etinson is currently Co-President of Syntax. Since joining the company in 1996, he has held several executive positions including Managing Partner, Vice President, and Executive Vice President. After becoming a high-value Oracle JD Edwards partner over 17 years ago, Ryan has helped to expand Syntax’s offerings over the years across different industries, platforms and geographies. Over the last five years, he has been directly responsible for changing the company from one that primarily served customers in Eastern Canada into a North American success story. He holds an MBA with honors from John Molson School of Business and completed his undergraduate studies at McGill University.
Kenny Etinson
Co-President & CSO
KENNY ETINSON
CO-PRESIDENT & CSO
Kenny Etinson is currently Co-President and Chief Strategy Officer of Syntax. Kenny began his career working at IBM, then joined Syntax in 1994 to build a hardware infrastructure practice servicing ERP clients all over North America. He has helped solidify a long standing partnership with IBM where Syntax is now recognized as a premier partner. In 2007, Kenny launched an ERP centric Enterprise Cloud offering, and helped pave the way for a new cycle of corporate growth. Thanks in great part to Kenny’s efforts, Syntax is now recognized as an industry leader in secure Enterprise Cloud Offerings. He has excellent expertise, industry knowledge, and a thorough understanding of his customer’s needs. He holds a Bachelors degree from McGill University and has been an active member of EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organization) since 2007, regularly applying his experience and knowledge to help drive and improve Syntax’s processes and growth.
Tony Veilleux
CFO
TONY VEILLEUX
CFO
As the Chief Financial Officer at Syntax, Tony brings more than 20 years of experience in all areas in the business including financial accounting, risk management, treasury, acquisitions and integration. He has managed growth throughout his career and has developed the ability to navigate across the different phases in an organization where he has promoted change and diversity. Tony held a position of CFO at WSP Canada where he worked as a Business partner to the CEO and the leadership team where he was involved in the corporate strategy for Canada. Tony graduated from Laval University and holds a CPA, CMA designation.
George Massoud
SVP Cloud Ops
GEORGE MASSOUD
SVP CLOUD OPS
George Massoud joined Syntax as Senior Vice President of Operations and is responsible for the IT Cloud Infrastructure Operations, including Systems Resiliency and Capacity Planning. In addition, George leads the Global Service Desk Operations and Incident Management Organization, a critical layer in Syntax commitment to exceptional customer service and experience.
George has more than 20 years of IT experience. He began his career at Future Electronics where he led the North American inside sales team, specializing in electronic components. He later joined Nortel Networks as a Network Integration Project Manager and played a key role in helping migrate some of the world’s largest Tier 1 operators to a new technology and switching platform. Following Nortel, George joined Amdocs, where he grew within the organization over the past 16 years, holding several senior management roles, including Global IT Operations and Managed Services Executive roles. In this highly visible customer facing role, George was accountable for critical production systems including the management of all data centers and global infrastructure within the Managed Services domain.
Most recently, George led the Global Vendor, Asset, and Budget management teams, with a focus on building partnerships with major vendors, maintaining control of assets and purchasing, while driving operation optimization programs. Being an advocate for end to end managed services within Amdocs, George also led various major government and Tier 1 Telco sales initiatives globally, collaborating with the sales and professional services organizations to drive value through new business solutions and service offerings.
George holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.
Mike Rulf
CTO
MIKE RULF
CTO
Mike serves as Chief Technical Officer (“CTO”) and is responsible for integrating value-added new technologies to meet client needs.
Mike is a seasoned executive, previously a VP at AT&T Managed Services and Oracle On Demand, with over fifteen years experience providing strategic direction and management of large technology teams at multiple Fortune 100 companies. His roles have allowed for continuous hands-on involvement in the design, installation, maintenance and extension of distributed software solutions utilizing SOA principles as well as both Cloud Services and SaaS enablement platforms. His work has resulted in significant industry recognition including OAUG’s Innovator of the Year award.
Mike received a B.A. from The College of Wooster with a double major in Computer Science and Engineering Applications and a Master’s degree from Purdue University. He resides in Annapolis, MD with his wife.
Jake Van der Vort
SVP Cloud Services
JAKE VAN DER VORT
SVP CLOUD SERVICES
Jake Van der Vort serves as Senior Vice President of Cloud Services, with responsibility for global professional services.
Jake is a seasoned executive who brings a wealth of knowledge, breadth, and depth of skills to this pivotal position. Previous to his role at Syntax, he joined Core Services after 10 years with IT Convergence, where he led all Service Delivery operations for Consulting, Managed/Cloud Services, and Development Services, most recently as COO. There, Jake was instrumental in creating the Hosting, Managed and Development Services, and Fusion Middleware offerings across the USA, South America, and Asia.
Previously, Jake held the positions of Vice President at TUSC, where he created the Managed Services practice, and Operations Director at IB Diffusion.Additionally, Jake frequently published and presented at many industry conferences, including IOUG, MOUG, and Oracle Open World.
Jake received a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and he resides in Chicago with his wife and daughter.
Michael Etinson
Principal & Founder
MICHAEL ETINSON
PRINCIPAL & FOUNDER
Michael Etinson is the founder and Principal of Syntax, which was established in 1972. Over the last four decades, Michael has been instrumental in the evolution of the company and growth of its diverse customer base. A major industry milestone for Syntax, thanks to Michael, was the company’s introduction of Syntax Distribution Management (iSDM) software in 1983. After becoming a high-value Oracle JD Edwards partner in 1997, Michael has helped Syntax expand its North American footprint with offices in Toronto, New York, and Boston. Michael continues to help Syntax expand the scope of its strategic capabilities with outstanding technology industry leadership and vast industry knowledge. Michael has a Bachelor of Science from McGill University, and has done tireless work as a Community Leader.
Brian Koh
VP Cloud Sales
BRIAN KOH
VP CLOUD SALES
Brian Koh serves as VP of Cloud Sales, with responsibility for global Sales of Syntax’s expanding portfolio of services.
Brian is a seasoned executive who brings a wealth of knowledge, breadth, and depth of skills to this pivotal position. Previous to his role at Syntax, he joined Core Services after 14 years with IT Convergence, where he created a global business development team, most recently as Vice President and Managing Director. Brian was instrumental in building a successful business development organization across the USA, South America, and Asia. Additionally, Brian frequently published and presented at industry conferences, including OAUG, Collaborate and Oracle Open World.
Brian received a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin and he resides in New York City with his wife and two children.
Biju George
VP Professional Services
BIJU GEORGE
VP PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Biju George serves as Vice President, Professional Services, with responsibility for globalProfessional Services delivery.
Biju is a seasoned executive who brings a wealth of knowledge, breadth, and depth of skills to this pivotal position. Prior to his role at Syntax he joined Core Services with 18 years of Consulting experience, primarily focused on Oracle EBS and Fusion Applications, with experience at IT Convergence most recently developing their Professional Services team, and at Rolta, SmartDog, and Arthur Andersen where he worked on architecting and deploying global solutions for Fortune 1000 companies. These included customers in industries ranging from Oil Field Services, Industrial Manufacturing, Medical Devices, Financial Services, Airlines, and Publishing.
Biju’s educational background enhances his management experience. He received a B.B.A from The University of Texas at Austin with a focus on Finance and Mechanical Engineering. He resides in Houston, Texas, with his wife and two children.
Gary Gray
VP Sales
GARY GRAY
VP SALES
Gary Gray joined Syntax in 2005 and currently serves as Vice President of Sales and Operations where he leads the Syntax Sales and Presales teams. Over the past 30 plus years in the ERP software industry Gary has held positions that span virtually every possible role; support, training, product development, presales, project management and sales. A consistent overachiever, Gary contributes to customer projects in ways that extend beyond the sales cycle. When he is not at work, Gary bikes (road and mountain) in the warm weather and skis once the snow falls. Gary graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree, Business Administration and Management, General, Magna Cum Laude from Georgia State University
Elan Etinson
Director of Marketing
Elan Etinson
Director of Marketing
Elan Etinson is the Director of Marketing at Syntax, overseeing all marketing activities, brand management and corporate communications. Before joining Syntax in 2010, Elan worked in various marketing roles at agencies as well as on the client side, with a focus on integrated marketing strategy, media planning and branding. Her experience at J. Walter Thompson in New York and then at ALDO in Montreal has given her a great understanding of the digital landscape and the tools needed to be a leader managing a strategic integrated marketing program at Syntax.
Creativity, drive and leadership are Elan’s greatest strengths, which she carries forward managing a strong team of marketing experts, working closely with sales and other key executives.
In 2017, under Elan’s marketing direction, Syntax was recognized with the prestigious Marketing Award for Excellence by the JD Edwards community.
Elan holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University with a major in Marketing. She lives in Montreal with her husband and three children.