Sync Space announces leadership change

KINGSPORT — Sync Space Entrepreneur Center announced Heath Guinn will no longer serve as president of the organization, according to a release shared late Wednesday afternoon. The release said the leadership change represents a "new chapter" for Sync Space "as it continues to expand its impact on both the regional and national economy." According to the release, Sync Space founder Guinn is transitioning from his role with the organization "to lead a national workforce and economic mobility initiative." Liz Bennett was appointed to serve as interim president for Sync Space, the release states. She will oversee strategic direction and daily operations. "Sync Space represents the power of collaboration and the spirit of our entrepreneurs," Bennett said in the release. "Our mission remains clear: to ensure every founder in our region has a pathway to success. I'm honored to lead this team as we build on a strong foundation and expand our reach." Ryan Shipley is expected to continue his role as vice president of capital and strategy, leading efforts to strengthen capital access, develop strategic partnership and advance long-term growth initiatives. "I have full confidence in Liz, Ryan, and the entire leadership team," Guinn said in the release. "Sync Space has demonstrated what's possible when a region commits to innovation. The organization is well-positioned to continue driving meaningful economic growth and opportunity." Sync Space "will continue serving as a central hub for entrepreneurship and innovation," the release states — supporting founders, attracting investment and working to strengthen the economic future of the region. Transition time Guinn, along with Dave Clark of the ETSU Research Corporation, spoke to business professionals of the region at the Kingsport Chamber Business Breakfast on Jan. 9. During that meeting, Guinn identified himself as the president and founder of Sync Space. Bennett, interim president and executive director of Sync Space, said in an email to Six Rivers Media on March 26 that she was appointed by the board to be interim director "in early March." A news release dated September 1, 2025, on the Sync Space website announced Bennett as the appointed executive director for the organization. She also serves as the director of the Holston Business Development Center, located at 2005 Venture Park in Kingsport. Background According to Sync Space's 990 form for calendar year 2024, the 501(c)3 nonprofit saw a total revenue of $456,808, which came from contributions and grants. The description listed on the form calls Sync Space "an entrepreneur center with accelerator program that uniquely focus on the support of local and recruited startups" considering Northeast Tennessee as a place to grow or expand their business. Sync Space's current board of directors is listed on their website to include the following people: Paul Montgomery, Kingsport mayor John Campbell, executive director of Accel Now Dr. Todd Fowler, Johnson City Commissioner John Rose, executive director of BRIDGE Richard Venable, Sullivan County mayor Morris Baker, director of donated goods and retail development program for Goodwill International Dwight King, Sullivan County commissioner Former Kingsport Mayor Pat Shull and Logan McCabe were listed on the 990 as board of director members at that time. Since then, McCabe is no longer listed and current Kingsport Mayor Paul Montgomery is now on the board. In the calendar year 2024, Sync Space reported $39,045 in operating losses. Guinn, then-president and founder of Sync Space, was cited as making $124,800 in reportable income that year. Total functional expenses for Sync Space in 2024 totaled $495,853, with around 22.5% of those costs stemming from program contracts. Launch Tennessee In February 2020, Launch Tennessee announced Sync Space as a network partner. The release described Launch Tennessee, also written as LaunchTN, as a "public-private partnership with a vision to make Tennessee the most start-up friendly state in the nation." Sync Space is listed on the LaunchTN website as one of nine current Regional Entrepreneur Center Partners as of Wednesday afternoon. Past programs In April 2020, Sync Space Entrepreneur Center and TSG Innovation Group announced the Restart Accelerator Program, aimed at helping small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Sync Space has worked with the East Tennessee State University STRIVE program that supports veteran startup businesses, as well as worked on other startup programs and partnerships across the region. ETSU Research Corporation and Sync Space announced "Accelerate Appalachia" last year, a joint initiative intended to provide entrepreneurs and small business owners in the region with access to resources, capital and tailored programs for driving growth. A prior release states the program had $1 million in funding for 2025. Five startups were selected to participate in the 2025 Beta Tech accelerator program from across the Tri-Cities.