Leadership Team

Christian Primeau is the Global CEO of Syntax and has led the company since 2018, transforming it into the top provider of technology solutions and professional advisory and managed services for clients worldwide.

Under his leadership, Syntax has expanded to over 2,800 employees and ventured into ten new markets, emphasizing its commitment to excellence in ERP, Cloud, and Security services. Christian has significantly enhanced partnerships with leading technology providers and has skillfully guided Syntax through four strategic acquisitions, strengthening its presence in key sectors.

Christian has a track record spanning more than 30 years in technology and senior executive roles at at Dialogic, iWeb, Bell Canada and Sun Microsystems, Christian has a track record of driving growth and operational excellence. Before joining Syntax, he notably contributed to substantial revenue and EBITDA growth at iWeb, leading to successful company sales and expansions.

Christian, a McGill University alumnus, holds both a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and an MBA, highlighting his deep expertise in technology management and strategic business development.

Kevin Dattolico, Syntax’s Regional CEO for SAP Technical Managed Services and Oracle Business Units, joined in 2020 as Chief Revenue Officer of Syntax Americas, later becoming CEO in 2022. With over 20 years in IT infrastructure sales, he excels in cloud solutions for enterprise and web scale clients, driving large and complex sales transactions. Formerly, Kevin served in leadership roles at Novell, VMWare, and Virtustream, driving global growth strategies and market leadership in cloud services and software solutions. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Hofstra University. Since joining Syntax in 2020 as Chief Revenue Officer for the Americas, Kevin has demonstrated visionary leadership, facilitating large and intricate sales transactions through his blend of technical expertise and commercial acumen.

Luc Dubois, Syntax’s Regional CEO for the SAP Business Unit since October 2023, oversees sales, partnerships, marketing, business development, and operations. With over 23 years of IT and business optimization experience, he excels in warehouse, operations, and inventory management. Luc led Beyond Technologies, acquired by Syntax, to over 400 employees and ranking on Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies list. Formerly with Deloitte Inc., he’s been a pivotal figure in Canadian manufacturing and distribution. Holding a Professional Engineer’s degree from Polytechnique Montréal and an MBA from HEC Montréal, Luc is adept at leading teams to deliver integrated solutions for multinational and mid-market businesses

Michael Etinson, founder and principal of Syntax, began his career at McGill University and established Syntax in 1972. After a brief tenure at IBM, he rebooted Syntax, leading it to significant growth and success with its own ERP software and as a partner with JD Edwards. As the tech landscape changed in 2007, Syntax began providing hosting and managed services leveraging its ERP skills. In partnership with Novacap in 2016 and following six successful acquisitions, Syntax now boasts over 2,600 employees worldwide. Michael’s role is instrumental in integrating these businesses, ensuring customer satisfaction, providing contractual guidance, and participating on the Syntax board. He also chairs the board of Medicom, a leading PPE manufacturer and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science from McGill University. A dedicated community member and family man, Michael is married with five children and nine grandchildren.

Mike Evans is the President and COO of Syntax’s Technical Managed Services Business Unit. He joined Syntax in 2020 as its Global Chief Operating Officer. With a strong focus on delivering customer value, Mike is responsible for worldwide operations, ensuring seamless execution and enhancing customer experiences.

Mike brings extensive experience from his previous roles at Virtustream, Dell EMC, and IBM. Before joining Syntax, he served as Senior Vice President of Global Operations at Virtustream, overseeing the delivery and support of all cloud offerings as well as the management of key customer engagements and relationships.

At Dell EMC, he held several senior leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of Global Specialty Presales, Vice President of Backup and Recovery Systems, and Global Director of Services. Mike has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to driving customer-centric initiatives and fostering operational excellence throughout his career.

He is a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Larry Perlov, as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the SAP Business Unit at Syntax, brings over 17 years of experience to his role. Beginning his journey with Illumiti in 2007, now a Syntax company, he held various positions including co-founder, President, Managing Partner, and eventually CEO in 2021.

Larry has a proven track record in steering global SAP initiatives, expanding clientele, and fostering innovation. Prior to Syntax, he held leadership roles at IMG Americas, Intuit, and Dell-EMC. His educational background includes an Executive MBA (OPM50) from Harvard Business School, an MBA in Finance from Heriot-Watt University, and degrees in Artificial Intelligence and Electrical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Catherine Solazzo, Chief Marketing Officer at Syntax, brings 19 years of IT industry expertise, spanning marketing, digital business, and sales. She is known for transforming organizations, delivering profitability, and strengthening brands. She is a recent graduate of The Marketing Academy Fellowship Program, built for CMOs who are future CEOs.

Currently spearheading Syntax’s Global Marketing, Communications, Sales Operations, and Inside Sales functions, Catherine is focused on bolstering brand equity, demand generation, modernizing RevOps and customer experience. She is focused on delivering growth and revenue across all routes to market.

In her prior role as CMO at TD SYNNEX,Catherine drove marketing transformation while navigating the merger and integration with SYNNEX. Her previous 15 years at IBM were overseas, in headquarters and regional positions in marketing, channel and customer-centric roles. She has a passion for cultivating teams, servant leadership, and acts as the executive sponsor for the Syntax Women in Technology ERG.

Ralf Sürken has been leading Syntax’s European operations as Regional CEO since 2016, directing go-to-market strategies and delivery execution. With extensive international experience, he excels in driving business growth and ensuring customer satisfaction. Prior to joining Syntax, Ralf held senior leadership roles at Velocity Technology Solutions and SoftBrands, focusing on operational excellence and customer value in critical systems and cloud technologies. Formerly CEO of Itelligence and leader of SAP’s Business Unit Marketplaces in North and South America, Ralf holds a degree in Applied Computer Science from b.i.b. International College, Germany.

Marcelo Tamassia, Syntax’s Global Chief Technology Officer since 2019, drives the company’s technology and innovation strategies. Co-founder of EmeraldCube Solutions, acquired by Syntax, he led their AWS cloud practice and software R&D, enhancing their position in the Oracle JD Edwards ecosystem. Prior, he managed ERP projects globally and led a technical consulting organization. With over two decades in technology, Marcelo emphasizes empowering individuals to provide exceptional solutions. He holds advanced certifications from AWS, Oracle, and Microsoft, along with an MBA from the University of Florida and postgraduate education from Stanford University, underscoring his commitment to continuous learning and excellence.

Tony Veilleux, Syntax’s Global Financial Officer, directs strategic and operational finances worldwide since 2017. Collaborating closely with the Global CEO and regional stakeholders, Tony drives value creation and sustains business success. With over 25 years of experience, he excels in financial accounting, risk management, and acquisitions, navigating growth phases within large enterprises. Previously at WSP, Tony shaped financial strategy and led acquisitions, contributing significantly to growth and shareholder value. A graduate of Laval University, he holds a bachelor’s degree as well as CPA and CMA designations, reflecting his dedication to professional excellence and ethical finance practices.

Dessalen Wood, CHRP, as Global Chief People Officer at Syntax, leads company-wide human resource strategies, fostering a vibrant culture for over 2,800 employees. With over 25 years of experience, she guides People and Culture teams, drawing from roles at renowned Canadian and US enterprises like Reitmans Canada, Hudson’s Bay Company, and The Disney Stores. Before Syntax, Wood served as Chief People Officer at ThoughtExchange and Vice President of Talent Development at Cineplex Entertainment. She holds a CHRP designation and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from McGill University. Recognized with multiple awards, including the Waterstone Top 10 Most Admired Corporate Culture, Wood is esteemed as a “Rockstar Leader” by the ISG Women in Digital Awards.