About Us
Manufacturing Expertise. Strategic Leadership. Practical Results.
The Synigent difference
Synigent was founded on the belief that business success starts with exceptional people. For more than three decades, we’ve built our reputation by helping organizations identify, attract, and retain the talent needed to solve complex business challenges.
As we partnered with manufacturers across a wide range of industries, we recognized that many organizations needed more than recruiting support. They needed experienced advisors who understood the realities of operating a business—leaders who had implemented ERP systems, optimized supply chains, modernized technology environments, improved financial performance, led organizational change, and built high-performing teams.
That realization shaped Synigent’s evolution.
Today, we are a manufacturing-focused advisory and talent partner, helping organizations strengthen the three functions that drive long-term business performance: operations, technology, and finance.
Our Manufacturing & Supply Chain practice helps organizations improve operational performance through operations leadership, engineering expertise, supply chain optimization, executive search, and specialized recruiting. Our Technology & Digital practice supports digital transformation initiatives including ERP, MES, WMS, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and manufacturing technology leadership. Through our Strategic Finance & Risk practice, we provide fractional CFO services, finance transformation, governance, risk management, compliance, executive search, and financial leadership.
While our services have expanded, our philosophy has not.
We believe that successful business transformation requires more than strategy alone. It requires experienced leadership, practical execution, and the right people working together toward measurable business outcomes. That’s why we combine advisory services, fractional leadership, executive search, and specialized recruiting into a single integrated approach designed to help manufacturers navigate growth, operational change, digital transformation, acquisitions, workforce challenges, and evolving market demands.
Our team brings decades of real-world leadership experience across manufacturing, operations, technology, supply chain, finance, and executive leadership. We understand these challenges because we’ve managed them ourselves—not simply because we’ve recruited for them.
Whether a client needs strategic guidance, interim leadership, a professional search, or specialized talent to support a critical initiative, our objective remains the same: helping manufacturers build stronger organizations that are prepared to compete today and positioned to grow tomorrow.
Core Values
Every member of Synigent incorporates these values into how we work with each client and candidate.
Integrity
We communicate openly, act with honesty, and stand behind our commitments to clients, candidates, and partners.
Trusted Partnership
We build long-term relationships by understanding our clients' business objectives and serving as an extension of their leadership team.
Value Proposition
We focus on measurable business outcomes, helping clients improve performance, strengthen organizations, and create lasting value.
Just as we encourage our clients to evolve, we continually invest in expanding our expertise, capabilities, and services to meet changing business needs.
Awards And Recognition
Synigent Technologies has shown continued growth through the years and our success has been recognized.
Twice named to Virginia’s FANTASTIC 50 list of companies by Goodman & Company, SunTrust Bank and Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology, Virginia Business Magazine and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
Twice named to Richmond’s RISING 25 list of companies by KPMG LLP, Metro Business/Richmond Times-Dispatch and the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce.
Synigent Technologies is SWaM certified.
Our Leadership team
Gary Laverdiere
Managing Principal
Gary brings more than three decades of hands-on leadership experience across manufacturing, operations, supply chain, and technology. Beginning his career as a machinist, he developed a practical understanding of manufacturing before advancing into senior technology leadership roles, where he led ERP implementations, supply chain transformation initiatives, and digital modernization efforts for manufacturing organizations across North America.
As Managing Principal of Synigent, Gary partners with manufacturers to improve business performance through advisory services, fractional leadership, and strategic talent solutions. His unique blend of manufacturing and technology leadership enables him to bridge strategy and execution, helping organizations strengthen operations, modernize technology, and build high-performing leadership teams.
When he’s not helping manufacturers solve complex business challenges, Gary enjoys hiking, working out, exploring new bourbons, and cheering on the Boston Bruins.
Derek Tolagian
Managing Director
Derek brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience spanning finance, accounting, operations, technology, governance, and risk management. A licensed CPA and CISA, he helps business owners and executive teams strengthen financial performance, improve internal controls, modernize business systems, and build the financial infrastructure needed to support sustainable growth.
Throughout his career, Derek has successfully bridged finance, technology, and operations, bringing a practical, business-first approach to ERP implementations, financial reporting, governance and compliance, enterprise risk management, cybersecurity oversight, and operational improvement. His experience is particularly strong within manufacturing, distribution, and automotive organizations, although his advisory expertise benefits companies across a broad range of industries.
Prior to joining Synigent, Derek served as CFO & Controller for Bill Talley Ford, where he directed finance, treasury, technology, compliance, and enterprise risk management across multiple business units. Earlier, at Hamilton Beach Brands, he led accounting for a global ERP implementation and directed SOX compliance and governance initiatives supporting international operations.
As Managing Director, Derek leads Synigent’s Strategic Finance & Risk practice, partnering with manufacturers and other growth-oriented organizations through fractional CFO services, finance transformation, governance, risk management, executive search, and strategic advisory. Working alongside Synigent’s manufacturing, technology, and workforce specialists, he helps clients improve profitability, strengthen decision-making, and build resilient organizations positioned for long-term success.
Brent Kannady
Founder and Strategic Partner
As the founder of Synigent Technologies, Brent built a reputation for excellence in recruiting and client partnerships that helped establish Synigent as a trusted name in IT and professional staffing. With decades of industry experience, his dedication to relationship-driven service and ethical business practices remains woven into the company’s DNA.
Brent continues to collaborate with Synigent as an independent strategic partner through his own consulting firm, focusing on business development and relationship management. His ongoing involvement ensures that the connections and trust he cultivated over the years remain part of Synigent’s growth story..
Insights
News. Events. Advice.
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