Executive Bios

Clayton Wood

President and CEO

With a background in leadership ranging from Fortune 100 brands to start-ups and the non-profit sector, Clayton Wood approaches Synapse with a keen understanding of operational excellence. In the midst of the company’s rapid growth, Clayton’s expertise is paired with clarity of vision and thoughtful articulation. Joining Synapse in 2011, Clayton has watched Synapse more than double in size and expand into multiple locations, including offices in San Francisco, Hong Kong. In that time, his experience in stabilizing organizations coping with major change has helped preserve the company’s commitment to culture. Meanwhile, he continues to develop the strategies and plans for implementation that meet Synapse goal of sustainable growth across the globe.

Chris Massot

Chief Market Officer

Chris Massot joined Synapse in 2009 to provide business leadership as the company evolved from a boutique design firm into a leading brand in innovation and engineering product development and realization for companies ranging from start-ups to the Fortune 500. From launching his own business to positions in corporate direction, Chris’ varied professional background enables him to visualize the company’s global future without losing sight of its fundamental entrepreneurial spirit. Having built Synapse’s first-ever sales and marketing teams, Chris emphasizes persistence and tenacity in achieving desired goals, while working to ensure that ambition is matched by respect, loyalty, and integrity between colleagues. As Synapse continues to grow, Chris is committed to Synapse’s pioneering vision—to be the rare company that blends culture and business practice, where people shape the values that drive business forward.

Skooks Pong

Senior Vice President of Technology

Driven by limitless curiosity and a passion for doing things right, Skooks has a reputation for clarity and insightfulness, providing valuable perspectives on product development, operations and marketing. The company’s most-tenured employee, Skooks is the Senior Vice President of Technology. Responsible for building an organization of dynamic engineers and thinkers, his mission is to strengthen Synapse's position as a key source for leading-edge concepts in technology. With a lifelong interest in hands-on creation and realization, Skooks approaches the business of product development with skills drawn entirely from real world application. Eschewing technical training, Skooks spent more than 20 years successfully designing, developing, and delivering prototypes across a broad range of industries before bringing his singular expertise to Synapse.

Diane Renihan

Chief Financial Officer

As head of Synapse’s finance team, Diane Renihan’s role is about balance and momentum. Formerly CFO of Coinstar, she brings a wealth of experience in financial leadership for growing young companies. In addition, Diane has been a longtime competitive equestrian, which informs her approach to cooperative decision-making and organizational stability. Joining Synapse in the midst of its expansion, Diane’s primary focus is maintaining financial well-being while strengthening the foundation for its sustainable future. Providing accurate, timely and transparent financial reporting, her contributions inform business and planning decisions across all aspects of Synapse’s present and future.

Redwood Stephens

Vice President of Engineering

When Redwood joined Synapse in 2009 he was energized by working with Synapse’s team of talented engineers in an environment of uncompromised values and culture. Redwood brings to Synapse a balance of technical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and the soft skills that make a well rounded, respected leader. He believes that innovation comes from clearing the mind to focus on the right problems. Redwood asserts that this focus can be obtained through clearly communicated product development processes and best practices. He is responsible for inspiring and directing the software, electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering leadership at Synapse. Redwood loves spending time in the mountains with his wife, 4-year-old son, and baby daughter. His current home project is designing and building an electric Shelby Cobra. He holds four issued patents and eight pending patents and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington.

Anne Krook

Vice President of Operations

Anne Krook began her career as an academic, as an assistant professor of 17th- and 18th-century British literature at the University of Michigan. Making a career change, she joined Amazon in 1997, and held a number of roles over 13 years at the company, including website development and deployment, international website development and team management, internal audit, business continuity planning, and infrastructure. She then served as VP, Operations at Mindbloom, a maker of personal engagement software, and joined Synapse as VP, Operations in November 2012. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Lambda Legal, a national nonprofit devoted to the civil rights of LGBT people and those with HIV. In her spare time, she enjoys reading murder mysteries and watching sports of all kinds on TV.

Rommie Callaghan

Vice President of Human Resources

Rommie Callaghan brings her 15+ years in HR with growing technology companies to Synapse. After joining Synapse in June 2011, she immediately began maximizing workforce performance while focusing on maintaining and enhancing Synapse’s unique culture. Utilizing her passion for developing people functions and her extensive experience, she facilitated the company's rapid growth--attracting and retaining high-quality talent. Her focus in leading the people function for Synapse is to ensure we never lose sight that Synapsters are truly our greatest asset. A Seattle-ite since attending college at the University of Washington, Rommie enjoys getting outside to ski, sail, or garden. She can also often be found being walked around the office by her giant Rhodesian Ridgeback, Juji.

Scott Bright

Co-Chair - Synapse Board of Directors

Scott is co-founder of Synapse and co-chair of Synapse's Board of Directors. In his role, Scott gets to talk about one of the things he is most proud of—Synapse. Scott loves sharing what Synapse has done (and can do) for clients who are innovators and leaders in their industries. Scott holds three patents, as well as a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Ohio University (1990), a Masters in Technology Management (MMGT), and a MBA from the University of Washington (2001). At the end of the day, Scott enjoys making his commute home on an electric skateboard.

Ross Collins

Co-Chair - Synapse Board of Directors

Ross Collins is co-chair of Synapse’s Board of Directors. As co-founder and former president, Ross oversaw Synapse’s evolution from a boutique firm to a groundbreaking company powered by culture and driven to redefine what's possible for new products and experiences. In the midst of Synapse’s expansion, Ross is focused on exploring diversified revenue opportunities as well as novel ways in which the company can use its engineering and technology expertise to create a meaningful impact in the world. A humble-yet-firm leader, Ross remains an accessible presence, holding weekly “office hours” at Synapse’s Seattle HQ and mentoring a team of seasoned leaders to help empower the vision of a sustainable company that does great work, solves difficult problems, and is the best job anyone has ever had.