Lane ValeyoLane Velayo, CAE

Lane Velayo is a partner in Synergos and has held ownership of Synergos in some form since 2017.  He has been active in the association profession for much of his career and has held the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation since 2008. Lane currently serves on the Board of Directors for the AMC Institute and has been an active volunteer with the organization -- sitting on the Accreditation and Standards committee and served in other roles.  Previously, Lane has served on the Indiana Society of Association Executives Board of Directors where he is a Past President and was recognized as Executive of the Year in 2011. He has previously been recognized by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) through admission in the Diversity Executive Leadership Program and by Association Forum as a 40 under 40 Awards honoree. Lane continues to be an active volunteer with ASAE, AMC Institute and other organizations.

Robert RiggsRobert Riggs, CAE

Robert joined Synergos as a partner in 2024, having most recently been an owner/partner at another Association Management Company.  In his previous role, Robert acted as Integrator for the company and implemented the company’s operating and project management systems.  In addition to these operational accomplishments, Robert led the company to its first ever “Best Places to Work” recognition by the Indiana Chamber.   Robert brings more than a decade of executive-level association experience to Synergos and a history of active volunteerism with organizations such as the Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE) where he served on the Board of Directors, is a Past President and was recognized as Executive of the Year.

 

Karyn Nishimura Sneath, FASAE
Engagement & Leadership Lead

Karyn has more than 30 years in association management and higher education administration. Her previous experience includes co-founding a coalition-style consulting company focused on services to fraternal organizations, associations, and colleges/universities. like minded people’s team was comprised of 16 association pros, consultants, higher education professionals, and facilitators. In 2001, she created Npower, a solo consulting practice which she has maintained ever since that time. From 1996 until today, she has custom designed and presented over 775 training programs to meet the needs of various associations and higher education constituencies. Karyn has also facilitated and implemented long-term strategic planning initiatives with various associations, professional societies, and colleges/universities. Karyn volunteers extensively with the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). She is currently on the ASAE Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Advisory Group. Prior to that she served two years on the ASAE Key Consultants Committee, one as vice-chairman in 2019. In 2018, she was named an ASAE Fellow which recognizes individual accomplishments and contributions to ASAE and the association sector. Fellows comprise just 1% of the overall ASAE membership.

 

Jess Lanore
Operations Lead

Jess joined Synergos AMC in 2017 with 20 years of previous association management experience, including 17 years with Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity. His extensive background in non-profit operations covers multiple areas including strategic management, governance, membership development, programs and services, leadership, knowledge management, marketing, public relations and communications.

 

Patrick McGvern
Client Services Lead

Patrick McGovern joined Synergos after serving more than 10 years in executive leadership roles for other Indianapolis based not-for-profit organizations. He has a proven track record of successfully leading teams and implementing and executing strategic plans to drive organizations’ goals. He has extensive experience in strategic planning, operational execution, systems development, brand positioning, board governance, and public relations. Additionally, McGovern has served in numerous leadership roles within the interfraternal community, including the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) and the Fraternity Executives Association (FEA). He has been recognized with the Award of Merit by his fraternity, Acacia.