Management Team

Andy Harris

Chief Executive Officer

Andy Harris joined Syrgis as Chief Executive Officer in January of 2007. He has 20 years of management experience in specialty chemicals, oil & gas, process instrumentation and environmental equipment companies, including Betz Chemical (now GE Water and Process Technologies), Endress+Hauser GmbH, and Exxon Company USA. Harris holds a master's degree in Marketing and Finance from the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business and a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arizona where he proudly serves on the Board of Directors for the University of Arizona Alumni Association.  Harris also serves on the boards of the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) and the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA), industry trade organizations dedicated to promoting high industry standards, building public awareness and working with government agencies to develop and improve the chemical and composites industries, respectively.

Richard Lindsay

Chief Financial Officer

Richard “Rick” Lindsay joined Syrgis as Chief Financial Officer in March of 2006. He has 30 years of financial and operations experience with public and private sector manufacturing and retail companies, including Tractech Inc., Delco Remy International, Moog Automotive/Cooper Industries, and Perry Drug (acquired by Rite Aid). Lindsay earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Management from Western Michigan University.

Bob Garner

Vice President - Operations and Engineering; General Manager - Syrgis Performance Specialties

Bob Garner joined Syrgis as Vice President - Manufacturing for PChem in January 2005 and was promoted to Vice President - Operations and Engineering for the Syrgis group of companies in May 2010.  He was also named General Manager of Syrgis Performance Specialties at that time.  Bob has 30 years of experience in production, maintenance, engineering, product/process development, process commercialization, contracts and transition management with various manufacturing companies, including Nektar Therapeutics, Great Lakes Chemical, Neste Resins and El Dorado Chemical Company.  Bob earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University.

Dana Durham, Ph.D.

Vice President - Technology and Innovation

Dana Durham joined Syrgis as Vice President - Technology and Innovation in October 2010. Previously, Dana served as a Director of Research for Air Products and Chemicals, and also held scientific leadership positions at Ashland, Clariant and Hoechst Celanese.  Recognized as an industry leader, Dana has 39 patents and has published numerous papers and presentations. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Oklahoma and received his doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Nebraska.

Jeffrey Gates, Ph.D.

Vice President - Technical Marketing and Business Development

Jeffrey Gates (Jeff) joined the company in February 2008 as the group Marketing Manager and was promoted to Vice President of Technical Marketing and Business Development in January 2011. He brings more than 25 years of sales and technical marketing management experience with world-leading chemical companies including DuPont, Henkel and Cognis. Jeff earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and chemistry from Western Maryland College and received his doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of Delaware.