About Us

Graham Weihmiller joined BNI® in 2014 to help execute BNI®'s strategic plan that includes operational enhancements, continued membership growth, and ongoing global member expansion. Graham is passionate about building successful service organizations that have a remarkable value proposition and a positive social impact. Prior to BNI®, he served as the CEO of a 32-year-old nationwide franchisor of homecare services. While there, he was a founding director of a foundation that provides homecare to those who cannot afford it. His previous leadership experience includes roles with Pioneer Equity Partners, American Franchise Company, Bank of America, Booz Allen and JP Morgan.

Graham speaks frequently on entrepreneurship and franchising and has recently been on panels at Harvard Business School, Stanford University, and Georgetown University. He received his MBA from Harvard Business School and his BBA from the College of William & Mary. Graham is trained in Lean Enterprise, Process Excellence, Design for Six Sigma, and is a Six Sigma Black Belt. He is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and the Harvard Business School Club of Charlotte, where he was formerly the Club president. He currently serves on the BNI Foundation Board of Directors.

Mr. Gervais has served as President since January 2017.  Robert oversees all strategy for the organization and is laser-focused on growing CorporateConnections® on a global scale. As President, his mandate includes growing CorporateConnections® into the leading global networking organization for high-level executives. A firm believer in the power of connecting leaders, Robert is passionate about helping executives realize their full growth potential.

Robert has a longstanding relationship with CorporateConnections® that has spanned well over a decade. Robert knows firsthand the intricacies of launching groups and the fundamentals required for a chapter to see success. Prior to CorporateConnections®, Robert founded and served as President & CEO of ZEROFAIL, a technology company that he grew from start-up to multinational and then sold in 2015.

Robert received his MBA from the John Molson School of Business and a BFA from the Concordia University. Robert taught business strategy and entrepreneurship at a leading Canadian University. A strong proponent of giving back to the community, Robert has served on several boards, including Equitas, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Youth Employment Services, Les Amis de la Montagne, Notman House (Technology Incubator), and Geordie Theatre. Robert is a frequent guest speaker on topics of Networking and Entrepreneurship.

Anna Reynolds, CPA, joined BNI® and CorporateConnections™ in March 2018 as Chief Financial Officer. Anna overseas all accounting and financial operations of the organization supporting BNI’s initiatives around the world. Prior to joining BNI, Anna spent over 20+ years in global accounting and financial operations management positions holding various progressive positions over the years, including Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of Finance & Administration, and Director of Accounting. She has a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin School of Business, a master’s degree in Taxation from Florida Atlantic University and an undergraduate degree in Accounting. Anna is an active member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).

Stephen Schwartz is the Chief Technology Officer for BNI®. He has been working in the IT field for over 25 Years. Steve started out installing Point of Sales systems in New York City, where he eventually had his own business for 5 years. After leaving NYC Steve move to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue a career in software development. In 1999 he moved to Louisville, Kentucky to work at Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell where he worked in various IT roles over 13 years. This led him to a position as CIO of Long John Silver’s, a restaurant chain in the US with 1,300 retail outlets. Steve moved to Charlotte in 2014 to be a Senior Vice President of Product Development for a software company and then joined the BNI® team in September of 2015.

Joe Ross joined Corporate Connections Global as the Director of Global Operations in January of 2020. Previously, Joe was a Regional Director for BNI Global, where he led the seven regions encompassing BNI Southeast. Additionally, Joe has an extensive background in franchising including 2.5 years of refreshing the BNI USA Franchise Development Department. Joe is excited to bring his operations, franchise development and service focused mentality into his new role. One of Joe’s primary goals is to galvanize the support team around simple, impactful initiatives.  

Outside the office, Joe is a booster and advisory council member for an organization that promotes recreational opportunities, socialization and life skills for those with cognitive disabilities called Camp Blue Skies. This summer he will be marrying his long-time girlfriend Bess, in the mountains of North Carolina. 

Joe earned a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Seattle University and is an inaugural member of BNI’s Global Leadership Program.  

Sri Rathan Rathi is Head of India Operations for CorporateConnections®. He joined the company in April 2018 and his role is to develop, to build and to support CorporateConnections® in India.  He is a certified Network Trainer from ASENTIV, U.S.A. He completed his MBA from Sheffield (UK), and has extensive experience of 19+ years and built a strong network across 20 countries. He has helped over 250 entrepreneurs from various fields to improve their businesses. His coaching used to focus on relationship marketing which he successfully used in his own venture to increase the turnover of the company by 4 times in 6 years. He strongly believes, with his diverse international experience in diverse sectors in diverse countries such as UK, Middle East and India, that only strong relationships can be differentiating factors to any business or profession in the future. Recently he has completed the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) course from International Franchise Association, USA.

Erica Andrews joined CorporateConnections® in August 2019 as the Marketing and Communications Manager. Erica oversees all marketing operations of the organization supporting Corporate Connections Global initiatives around the world. Prior to joining CorporateConnections®, Erica spent over 7+ years in franchise marketing holding various positions over the years, including Director of Field Operations and Digital Marketing Coordinator. Erica most recently was the Communications and Marketing Manager for the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association. She has her BA in Communications and an Associate Degree in Advertising and Graphic Design. Erica’s passions include spending time with loved ones and traveling the globe.

Matt Gerding joined Corporate Connections as the Global Director of Franchise Development in September of 2020. Matt has spent over 20 of his 25 professional years in franchising, with experience in both development and operations/support. He is active with the International Franchise Association (IFA) and on the Board of Directors for their VetFran Committee. Matt also is a Certified Franchise Executive™. He’s passionate about strategic business development and is recognized for his ability to create processes that increase sales and capitalize on growth opportunities. Matt describes himself as an entrepreneurial leader applying entrepreneurial thinking - focused on how to minimize risk, how to maximize chances of success, how to be smart about exploring opportunities.

Outside the office, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, reading and playing golf. He’s also dedicated to being active in his community through the University of Colorado LEEDS Business School Mentor Program, the Civilian Crisis Response Team, the Community Emergency Response Team and as a SAY soccer coach.

Matt has a B.A. in Business Economics from the University of Cincinnati and an M.B.A. in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix, Denver Campus.