Synesus was founded by Jim Burkhead a manufacturing professional with over 25 years of experience in commercialization of new technologies and products, development of consortia/joint ventures, team development and coaching, technical sales, industrial engineering and design, project management and operations management. Mr. Burkhead has served as Plant Manager for several Greenfield industrial projects from concept to start-up, hiring the workforce, developing and running the business.

Over his career, Mr. Burkhead has worked in various managerial and superintendent roles for Heliae Technology Holdings, Inc., Buckman Laboratories, Inc., Bowater Incorporated and Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation. Mr. Burkhead received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering with a Minor in Economics from the University of Maine. He received his Master of Science degree in Pulp and Paper Science with a Minor in Chemical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.