About Us | Synergy Workforce So

Our Mission

At Synergy Workforce Solutions, our mission is to revolutionize workforce development by delivering innovative, data-driven strategies that elevate recruitment and retention. We empower organizations to build strong, sustainable talent pipelines and create compelling Employer Brands and Employee Value Propositions that resonate with both current and future employees.

Our vision

Our vision is to be the foremost driver of workforce transformation, closing the skills gap and fostering economic growth. We aim to create a future where every business thrives with top talent, and every individual finds a career that ignites their passion and leverages their strengths, leading to a more dynamic and prosperous workforce landscape.

Meet The Team

JOHN LEWIS | Co-Founder

MANAGING PARTNER

For the past 15 years John has been developing programs and strategies which have led to the creation of talent pipelines to industry as well as increasing employee retention. At the national level John served as Senior Director for Workforce Development at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where he led a team whose purpose was to create and establish the first ever Workforce Development Initiative for the organization. This important and necessary work laid the foundation for establishing relationships with employers across the nation, which fostered opportunities for skill development and work-based learning, which eventually resulted in job placement.

At the local level John has worked with employers in the skilled trades and manufacturing industries across Maine and New Hampshire to create awareness of employment opportunities as well as pipeline programs for talent acquisition for entry and mid-level jobs. John is the co-founder of the Maine Marine Troubleshooting Competition for high school students in Maine. Partnering with Portland Yacht Services in Portland, Maine, this competition showcased the marine trades industry while simultaneously raising over $20,0000 in scholarship money for Maine students to pursue relevant education and credentials in the marine trades, which led to eventual employment in the field, filling critical, skilled positions in the industry.

Now, John is the Managing Partner & Co-founder of Synergy Workforce Solutions, LLC, which is a consulting firm assisting employers in the skilled trades with their recruitment and retention challenges. As an ardent advocate for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers and Career and Technical Education (CTE), John has brought much-needed attention to the awareness gap and the skills gap in America. John believes it will take a shift in culture and collaboration among industry and education to bridge those gaps.

John, a board member at APEX Youth Connection, lives with his wife of 19 years and their two children in southern Maine. When he isn’t trying to solve the workforce issues of America, you will most likely find him and his family out on a mountain bike trail, hiking, kayaking, at the beach or lake, or hitting the slopes.

chelsea tufts | Co-Owner

director, client relations & employer branding

Chelsea brings a unique set of skills to the organization. For the past 14 years she has worked in all facets of human resources as well as marketing/advertising in a small business environment. She has significant experience in systems design and process improvement including developing a Customer Relations Management (CRM) system; designing & developing robust Standard Operating Procedures (SOP); designing and developing job descriptions & job advertisements; designing & developing training and onboarding programs for new hires; and designing and developing employee recognition and awards programs. She is equipped with a promising and diverse skill set in Marketing & Advertising by creating & developing websites, establishing a social media presence and building and sustaining media relations.

This deepened experience has enabled her unique skills to evolve in developing targeted brand identity, creating and contributing to innovative communications campaigns with an online and out-of-home presence that communicates the customer’s “Voice” as well as establishing programs for repeat business & referrals. With experience as a web designer, Chelsea is adept in all stages of website design: knowledge in user interface, testing and debugging processes. Moreover, she is proficient in an assortment of technologies such as Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign & LightRoom), WordPress, and Squarespace. Likewise, Chelsea is fluent in key social media platforms.

Chelsea is a consummate supporter of female entrepreneurs and Women in Small Business, Small Business Associations (WSBA), having coached other female entrepreneurs in designing and developing websites for their small businesses.

When not developing creative and artistic websites or building streamlined business systems, you can find Chelsea and her captivating, nurturing personality on the golf course, at the beach or out on the trails with her husband and daughter throughout New Hampshire and Maine!

ed coull | Co-Founder

MANAGING PARTNER

Ed brings 30+ years of experience and strategic vision in workforce development, talent acquisition, diversity recruiting, personnel procurement, post-secondary admissions, career development facilitation and relationship building to the team.

Ed retired from the U.S. Air Force after 24 years on active duty, the final 17 years of which were in Air Force Recruiting service. There, he served in successive roles of increasing responsibility, culminating his career as Superintendent of Air Force Recruiting in New England. In these roles Ed has extensive experience delivering strategic vision by analyzing market/trend data and forecasting targets in meeting dynamic objectives, forecasting staffing to identify and recruit healthcare professionals, entry level executive candidates, engineers, scientists, pilots, navigators, and general staff.

After retiring from the Air Force Ed took his experience and quickly applied it to the education industry landing positions as Director of Admissions at post-secondary Technical Colleges/Schools. In these roles Ed continued to build and maintain relationships with high schools, middle schools as well as local and regional business entities and industry partners, veteran’s groups, and professional and technical organizations creating pipelines for graduates to obtain gainful employment and enabling employers to fill critical labor needs.

Ed has consistently proven abilities to develop and maintain relationships with dynamic community partners such as colleges/universities, business entities, hospitals, local, state, and federal government agencies, high schools, youth programs and non-profit organizations in both rural and urban settings.

These experiences have allowed Ed to become a subject-matter expert in Workforce Development, STEM programs, developing Skills Gap initiatives, developing and managing Veteran Administration (VA) Skillbridge programs, Managing Veteran Workforce Development Programs, facilitating building relationships between education, labor, and GO & NGOs to create pipelines that match labor with employer.

Ed earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from Saint Martins University; an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and holds certifications as a Career Development Facilitator (CDF) ~ Professional Sales and Sales Coaching, Achieve Global ~ Learning International - Needs Satisfaction Selling, ~ Graduate of the Dale Carnegie Institute ~ STEM Champion.

LET'S CONNECT!

Our Clients & partners

Back Cove Yachts [For SWS Website]_edite

Portland Yacht Services [For SWS Website]_edited.png

Sabre Yachts [For SWS Website]_edited.png