Management

Mark Schröder completed vocational training as a wholesale and foreign trade merchant and went on to study business administration at Bielefeld University, focusing on controlling, finance and taxation. After graduating with a degree in business administration in 2000, he joined SYNAXON in the area of investor relations and supported the company’s capital market activities. From 2003 to 2007, he held the position of Commercial Director and was appointed to the Executive Board in 2007 at the age of 34. As of January 1, 2025, he has assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is now responsible for the business units iTeam, SYNAXON Services, einsnulleins, Finance, internal IT, and Corporate Office. Mark Schröder is a member of the Chamber of Commerce Trade Committee (IHK Handelsausschuss) and the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Lippe (Wirtschaftsjunioren Lippe e. V.). Upon request, he also speaks on various topics related to everyday entrepreneurial practice.

Mark Schröder is a member of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Trade Committee and the Wirtschaftsjunioren Lippe e.V. (Junior Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and is available as a speaker on various topics related to everyday business life.

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Miguel Rodriguez began his career with vocational training as an IT systems management assistant and joined SYNAXON in 2003 as a sales representative. From 2006 to 2009, he held his first leadership roles in Sales and Business Development Management, while simultaneously completing a business administration degree at ILS Hamburg. After serving as Deputy Head of Purchasing, he was appointed Managing Director of SYNAXON Projekt- und Handels GmbH in 2012, where he was responsible for central goods trading, the optimisation of decentralised procurement processes, and the marketing of SYNAXON’s core services in knowledge, networking, and marketing. Miguel Rodriguez was appointed to the Executive Board of SYNAXON on 1st January 2025. In this role, he oversees the strategic development and operational management of Purchasing, Sales and Marketing. With his extensive expertise, he is helping to shape SYNAXON’s future and secure its position as the leading IT network in Europe.

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Mike Barron has worked in the IT channel since 1990, building a wealth of experience across a variety of commercial and leadership roles. He joined SYNAXON UK in 2014 as Channel Manager, where he played a key role in strengthening partner relationships and expanding the company’s footprint in the UK market.
In 2016, he was promoted to Channel Director, and in 2019 appointed Managing Director of SYNAXON UK. In this role, Mike is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the organisation, leading its continued growth and supporting its partners across the UK channel ecosystem.
Mike is a recognised industry figure and was named a CRN A-Lister for his contributions to the sector. He is also an active GTIA Mentor, supporting the next generation of talent in the technology industry. In addition to his work in the channel, Mike is a qualified FA coach, reflecting his long-standing passion for football and leadership development beyond the workplace.

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Frank Geise completed vocational training as an industrial management assistant and went on to earn a degree in Business Administration, graduating as Diplom-Kaufmann (FH). He joined SYNAXON in 2003 as Assistant to the Head of Purchasing. Two years later, he assumed responsibility for SYNAXON’s process management and led the introduction, implementation and further development of the company’s Six Sigma initiative. In this role, he achieved certification as a Six Sigma Black Belt in 2008 and as a Lean Office Master in 2012. Since 2015, Frank Geise has headed the Corporate Services department. In this role, he is responsible for Business Excellence, Human Resources, Legal Affairs and Executive Board Assistance.

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Before joining SYNAXON in 2006, Jan Schwarzenberger held various national and international roles in strategic development, merchandising and procurement, including as Project Manager, Senior Merchandiser, Buyer and Head of Purchasing. Since 2006, he has served as Head of Purchasing and Authorised Signatory at SYNAXON. As a graduate in Business Administration (Diplom-Kaufmann), he is responsible for securing the best possible pricing and commercial terms for SYNAXON partners, as well as for the optimisation of their product ranges. His remit includes distributor onboarding and management, vendor acquisition and negotiations, and all framework agreements. In addition, Jan Schwarzenberger has been Managing Director of SYNAXON Projekt- und Handels GmbH since 2015, where he plays a key role in shaping SYNAXON’s trading operations.

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Dirk Tomasch joined SYNAXON in 2001 following vocational training in tax and business consultancy and a two-year advanced qualification as a certified tax specialist (Steuerfachwirt). As a certified balance sheet accountant, his early responsibilities focused on preparing financial statements in accordance with both national accounting standards (German commercial and tax law) and international financial reporting standards (IFRS). In 2007, he was appointed Head of Finance and granted commercial power of attorney (Prokura). In this role, which he holds to this day, Dirk Tomasch is responsible for national and international accounting, all aspects of controlling, central settlement, accounting and insurance administration, financial reporting, tax compliance, and the management of his department’s staff.

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André Vogtschmidt completed vocational training as an industrial management assistant and graduated with a degree in Business Administration (Diplom-Kaufmann, FH). He joined SYNAXON – then known as PC Spezialist Franchise AG – in 2000 as a sales representative. In 2002, he transitioned into marketing and took on responsibility for developing and promoting the microtrend brand. He successfully led the brand’s strategic positioning and drove the introduction and continuous development of a range of value-added services to strengthen SYNAXON’s market offering. From 2004 to 2019, André Vogtschmidt served as Managing Director of emendo, a marketing and purchasing co-operative, where he focused on brand building, partner support and marketing innovation within the IT channel. Since mid-2019, he has been leading SYNAXON’s marketing department, where he continues to shape the company’s brand strategy and communication across all business units.

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Dirk Stößel graduated with a degree in Computer Science (Diplom-Informatiker) and initially worked as a software developer before completing a PhD in Applied Computer Science at Bielefeld University. He joined SYNAXON in 2008 as an IT Project Manager. In 2015, he was appointed Head of Department and took on technical leadership of the IT division. Since 2018, Dirk Stößel has been Head of IT, overseeing both the company’s software development and the operation of its internal IT infrastructure.

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Markus Rex has been active in the IT industry since 1992. After studying Materials Science in Erlangen, he held several executive positions, including Managing Director at SUSE Linux and ownCloud, as well as Country Manager DACH at Datto. He joined SYNAXON in autumn 2020. As Managing Director of SYNAXON Services GmbH, he is responsible for building and developing the SYNAXON Services business unit as a Master MSP. Beyond his operational role, Markus Rex actively supports early-stage companies and startups in the tech sector, serving as a coach, advisor and board member.

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After completing her degree in International Business Management, Nicole held various leadership roles in the IT industry for over 20 years before joining SYNAXON in December 2023. Her professional focus has been on partner programmes, portfolio management and go-to-market strategies.

At SYNAXON, Nicole is responsible for all aspects of the iTeam partner group. Together with her team, she ensures that the value proposition of this premium brand continues to evolve in a sustainable way – always with the goal of delivering maximum benefit to our partners through the strength of the iTeam business network.

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After earning a degree in Computer Science and Business Administration from the University of Paderborn, Frank Weber gained experience as a Project and Technical Lead before joining SYNAXON as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in 2003. In this role, he led the company’s IT department until 2018. In 2013, he was appointed Managing Director of SYNAXON’s subsidiary einsnulleins GmbH. As one of the company’s Managing Directors, he is primarily responsible for the nationwide corporate customer business – covering everything from acquisition and project coordination to workforce planning.

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• Born on March 28, 1972 in Mönchengladbach
• Resident in Verl
• Managing Director of Dino Holding GmbH
• 1992-1996: Studied economics at the University of Siegen (degree: Dipl.-Kfm.)
• 1996–2000: Research Associate at the Chair of Financial Management and Banking at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management; earned doctorate
• 2000–2023: Held various senior positions within the Bertelsmann Group, including Chief Financial Officer, Direct Group, Senior Vice President, Corporate Controlling and Strategy, Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, Chief Operating Officer, Bertelsmann Printing Group

• Born on March 21, 1956
• Resident in Paderborn
• Following his advanced secondary school qualification (Fachabitur), he completed vocational training as an industrial management assistant at Bertelsmann AG, graduating in 1976. He subsequently worked in the Controlling department of Bertelsmann’s Direct Group.
• 1981–1983: Degree in Business Administration and Business Informatics at the b.i.b. International College, Paderborn
• 1984–2019: Held various senior roles within the Bertelsmann Group in the areas of Controlling and Financial Accounting, including Head of Accounting, Bertelsmann Book Club Germany, Managing Director, Viveno Group GmbH, Senior Vice President, Controlling and Financial Reporting at the Corporate Centre and Corporate Investments of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA
• Since 2020: Independent consultant specialising in Financial Reporting and Controlling

• Born on May 18, 1985
• Resident in Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock
• Managing Director of Jofo Pneumatik GmbH