Talent & Leadership

Education

Tulane University, New Orleans, LA. B.S.M. in Finance from Tulane University. May 13, 1988

Experience

Richard Ticktin has 22 years of experience as the owner, creator, chief chemist, and Chief Executive Officer of SynergyLabs.

In 1995, Richard founded Flea Doctor with the single-minded desire to stand for excellence – in the products produced, people hired,  partnerships forged, and distribution channels created.

Today, Flea Doctor has transitioned to SynergyLabs, a leading USA manufacturer of over 10 of its brands and private-label brands for pet and veterinary products distributed to over 60+ countries worldwide. Richard spends most of his time nurturing the company’s culture, expanding and innovating its top brands and formulations, and growing the business domestically and abroad. After two decades-worth of dedication to SynergyLabs, Richard’s original dream to become a vertically integrated global supplier of chemically-based products is today a reality.

Richard received NBC, Tribune, and pet industry trade media coverage and lectured worldwide on animal health and grooming. He has also been featured on HGTV for a Dental Fresh® educational segment. In 2012, to accommodate the company’s growth, Richard moved the company to a 45,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility with pharmaceutical-grade batching and packaging areas and professional offices for departmental staff. Richard also invested in digital label presses and expanded SynergyLab’s ever-growing collection of Aesus® pharmaceutical machinery lines, cappers, and labelers.

Today, SynergyLabs is experiencing extraordinary growth and innovation, including an all-new manufacturing facility in North Carolina with over 200,000 square feet. Richard is humbly excited for what’s to come – as he never wants to stop thinking, building, and innovating. As the company continually achieves more-than-expected sales numbers, Richard plans to ultimately purchase and re-engineer a plant to exact specifications and diversify the business into other categories of pet care beyond chemicals.

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Science in Finance from Florida International University

Experience

Ted joined SynergyLabs as controller in January 2018 and was promoted to CFO in January of 2021. Ted has a master’s degree in finance, is a CPA, passed all 3 levels of the Chartered Financial Analyst program, and has held senior financial positions at both private and public companies in a wide variety of Industries for nearly 20 years.

As CFO, Ted is in charge of all accounting functions, financial reporting, financing, and budgeting. In addition, Ted oversees the supply chain, IT, and inventory control for the company. Early in his career, Ted worked in the accounting department of a large, NYSE-listed company in the transportation industry.

Ted was then recruited for a controllership at a privately-owned pioneer in the telecommunications space, was promoted to CFO, and was admitted as a partner. After 10 years, the company was acquired and relocated and then he found his new home at SynergyLabs. Ted graduated magma cum laude from Florida International University with a bachelor’s of business administration and a master’s of science in finance.

Education

Bachelors of Business Administration, Management, and Entrepreneurship from Florida Atlantic University

Experience

Brent joined SynergyLabs in 2018 to lead the domestic sales division and was promoted to CCO in October 2022. By optimizing sales teams, identifying product development opportunities, and implementing effective marketing strategies, he has built a career in helping consumer goods companies reach their potential in personal care, tactical and safety, and now the pet industry.

At the intersection of trends, core competencies and manufacturing capability is an opportunity – as CCO, Brent has his team use this formula to grow SynergyLabs’ sales and portfolio of products aggressively. Brent takes great pride in developing relationships internally with team members and externally with customers who often rely on him as a key resource in identifying trends and opportunities.

Education

Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, with majors in Human Resources and Finance from University of South Carolina

Experience

Elena Azzarita joined SynergyLabs in 2019 as the company’s Director of Human Resources. She holds a BS in Human Resources and in Finance from the University of South Carolina.

With an extensive background of 20+ years in HR, Elena is adept at developing and administering Human Resources programs ranging from compensation/benefits to staff development/performance; her passion is attracting and retaining a high-quality workforce with particular emphasis on employee engagement.

Having previously worked for companies that were nationally recognized for their employment practices, she was immediately attracted to SynergyLabs. The expansion of the company into her home state of North Carolina afforded Azzarita the ability to work with a forward-thinking company that places employees at the forefront of their business/operational strategies. Her objective is to continue developing HR programs to assure that SynergyLabs will always be an employer of choice within existing and expanding operations.

Education

Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Masters of Science in Engineering Science from Penn State University

Experience

Joe joined SynergyLabs in August 2021 to lead the expansion of the Engineering function and implementation of a new ERP software system.  In July 2024, he was promoted to Managing Director, Operations, where he splits his time between site leadership, long-term strategic projects, and a drive for continuous improvement.  He is passionate about maintaining an engaged workforce, nurturing corporate culture, and developing empowered employees.

Joe brought his servant leadership style, attention to detail, and structured approach to SynergyLabs after spending much of his career developing and directing Engineering, Manufacturing, and Metrology of high-precision injection-molded components in the fiber-optic connector industry.

A proud Nittany Lion, Joe received both a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Master of Science in Engineering  Science and Mechanics from Penn State University.

In Joe’s spare time, you’ll find him either covered in sawdust in his workshop, working on cars in the garage, or creating memories with his family.

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration from The College of New Jersey and Master of Business Administration from Wilmington University

Experience

Sara joined SynergyLabs in January 2018 as a Staff Accountant and has since been promoted to Controller. With a Master’s degree in Business Administration and over 20 years of accounting experience, she performs key accounting functions, financial reporting, budgeting, and audits for the company. Before her role at SynergyLabs, Sara gained valuable experience working in nonprofit accounting, further strengthening her financial expertise.

Education

Master of Business Administration, Graduate Certificate in Project Management, and a Bachelor of Science from Western Carolina University

Experience

Alex joined Synergy Labs in 2022. He and his team transformed the company’s forecasting, capacity planning, and production scheduling processes and developed an effective procurement strategy. These efforts have increased inventory turns, reduced carrying costs, and fulfilled more open orders than ever before in the company’s history.

In addition to his role at Synergy Labs, Alex has served as an Officer in the North Carolina Army National Guard since 2012. The leadership, risk management, and organizational skills he has gained through his military service are consistently applied in the supply chain department, helping to develop more proactive and agile strategies.

Education

Bachelor in Business Administration from Strayer University

Experience

David brings extensive experience from the manufacturing industry, with a heavy background in food manufacturing. David is highly skilled in continuous improvement and processes. He is a strong advocate of a “visual workplace,” emphasizing that people are the cornerstone of any successful organization. Since joining Synergy Labs in 2023, David has contributed his expertise to drive operational excellence while fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.

Education

Electronics Certified, Fayetteville Technical
Certified Reliability Leader, Association of Asset Management Professionals
Certified Combustion and Gas-Fired Equipment, Fives North America
Certified 2D CAD, CAD Institute
Logix Certified, Historian SCADA Certified, HMI ME/SE Certified, Rockwell Automation
Project Management Certificate, Spelman College

Experience

Jerry McManamay, based in Hickory, NC, is a seasoned professional with over 24 years of experience in industrial maintenance, project management, and equipment reliability. He has a proven track record of driving efficiency, implementing cost-saving measures, and leading multi-million-dollar projects across various industries. Jerry’s expertise includes automation and reliability engineering, regulatory compliance, and cross-functional collaboration, which he has used to reduce downtime and enhance equipment performance.

A natural leader and communicator, Jerry excels at building strong relationships with employees, vendors, and contractors. With a robust educational background and certifications such as Certified Reliability Leader (CRL), he has demonstrated excellence in steering automation projects, ensuring OSHA compliance, and mentoring skilled technicians. He is passionate about leveraging his skills to drive reliability and excellence in every project.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management from the United States Air Force Academy, Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Master of Business in Economics from University of Arkansas

Experience

Micah joined the Synergy Labs Team in 2024, after working with the team as their Sales Broker for Walmart. Before joining, Micah had spent the last 24 years calling on Walmart and Sam’s Club for several Fortune 500 companies, including Conagra Foods and Georgia Pacific.

At the core of every business relationship is a great product at a fair price and a willing buyer. Beyond that, it’s about the relationship with the consumer—in this case, and their loyal pets. For Micah, caring for pets and their owners is a tremendous opportunity, and being surrounded by team members who share the same goals is a true gift.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from Miami International University and a Master of Global Communication from Florida International University

Experience

Paula joined SynergyLabs in 2022. She holds a Masters in Global Communications from Florida International University. With a background in strategic and cross-channel communication, Paula has successfully led communication initiatives across several industries. Her expertise includes developing comprehensive communication strategies and leveraging digital media to enhance brand presence.

At SynergyLabs, Paula is committed to driving the company’s communication efforts and developing a strong and influential marketing team. She brings a dynamic approach to problem-solving and a passion for pushing innovation, ensuring that SynergyLabs maintains its competitive edge in the pet care industry.