Team

Chairman – Graham Group

Don is the founder of The Graham Group, an alliance of independent investment firms, operating businesses and philanthropic entities, each of which traces its roots to a design engineering firm Don founded in Central Pennsylvania in 1960 in the basement of his York County farmhouse.

The Graham Group’s three legacy industrial businesses, Graham Packaging, Graham Engineering, and Graham Architectural, operate globally and collectively generate several billion dollars in annual revenue. The Graham Group has also spawned multiple independent investment businesses which today manage several billion dollars in internal capital for Graham and third-party capital for external institutional investors. Graham Capital manages an endowment-style portfolio of investments in marketable securities and alternative investment funds for The Graham Group,. Graham Partners and Inverness Graham are independent Registered Investment Advisors, managing committed capital under private equity structures for institutional investors, including leading university endowments, charitable foundations and pensions funds. Graham Software Development and Striker Partners manage internal Graham Group capital and make direct investments in a variety of sectors, including software development/information technology, healthcare, education and sports.

Don earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering & Business Management from the University of Michigan, where he remains actively involved on a philanthropic and volunteer basis. Don was inducted into the University of Michigan Engineering Honorary Societies, Pi Tau Sigma and Sigma Rho Tau. Don served on the President’s Advisory Group for the University, founded the University’s Graham Sustainability Institute, and serves as an active volunteer in several areas including the University’s College of Engineering and Athletic Department. He has also received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from both York College of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan and is an Honorary Penn State Alumnus.

A committed supporter of educational, community, cultural and environmental projects, Don has funded programs at many other institutions, including Dartmouth College,  York College of Pennsylvania (including the Graham Business School, Graham Center for Collaborative Innovationand the Graham Collaborative Innovation Scholars Program), Penn State York (including the Graham Center for Innovation and Collaboration and Graham Fellows Program for Entrepreneurial Leadership), the University of Pennsylvania (including the Penn Museum), the York YMCA’s Graham Aquatic Center, and Burke Mountain Academy (including the Graham Family Endowment).

Don has been active in many professional groups including the Young Presidents Organization, Chief Executive Officers, World Business Council, American Business Council, and the Recycling Advisory Council, and has served on numerous corporate and philanthropic boards including chair of the Board of Trustees of the Mpala Foundation in Kenya, which is involved in a health clinic, school, research center, ranch, and wildlife conservancy. He is a member of the Plastics Hall of Fame and recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Plastics Engineers.

Don is married with five children and seventeen grandchildren.

Chairman & CEO – Graham Capital

Paul is the Chairman and CEO of Graham Capital and sits on its Investment Committee. Prior to assuming his current role Paul served as President of Graham Capital from 2011 – 2018 and as CFO of Graham Capital from  1998 to 2010.

Before the divesture of Graham Packaging, Paul served in the position of Global Treasurer for the Graham Packaging Group, with responsibilities for world-wide treasury management, global taxation, investment management, and oversight of real estate operations. Paul was involved in the negotiation and planning of several acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures transactions for various companies that have been members of The Graham Group in France, Canada, Italy, United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, and China.

More recently, Paul served as Chairman of Graham Engineering and Graham Architectural (both divested in 2021) and currently serves as a Director on the board of Continental Glass. Paul’s additional responsibilities include serving on various advisory boards for Graham Partners, Inverness Graham and Striker Partners as well as Independent Trustee for several Graham family trusts.

Outside of Graham, Paul’s other professional responsibilities have included serving as an Independent Trustee of The Chartwell Funds mutual fund complex from 2017 – 2022 and was elected as the Audit Committee Chair and designated as the Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Prior to Graham, Paul was a senior tax consultant with Ernst & Young, serving clients in the small and emerging business group, with an emphasis on pass-through entities. Paul earned his B.S. in Accounting, with honors, from The Pennsylvania State University and is a member of both the American and Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Paul’s philanthropic and community involvement has included many board and leadership roles as follows:

• Board of Directors of the American Red Cross, York-Adams Chapter, including serving as the Board Chair and Vice Chair, Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair, and Audit Committee Chair.
• Board of Directors of the York County Community Foundation and served as Board Chair, Vice Chair and Chair of its Investment Committee.
• Board of Trustees for YSC Academy.
• Advisory Board for Harrisburg Area Community College – York Campus
• Advisory Board for Penn State York Campus.
• Advisory Board for Graham Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Studies – Penn State York.
• Board of Directors of Ski Roundtop Racing Club, including service as Treasurer and member of the Executive Committee.
• Board of Trustees for Mpala Wildlife Foundation (Kenya).

Independent Trustee and Investment Committee member – Graham Capital

Since 1978, Bill Kerlin held executive positions with various operating and investment companies that have been members of The Graham Group, including holding a key role in the development of each of Don Graham’s legacy industrial businesses over several decades. In addition to having served as CEO and Chairman of Graham Capital, Bill served as Chairman of Graham Architectural, and CEO of Graham Engineering. Bill currently serves as a member of Graham Capital’s Investment Committee, and acts as a trustee for several Graham family trusts.

Prior to the sale of a majority interest in Graham Packaging in 1998 to The Blackstone Group, Bill also served as CEO of Graham Packaging, with worldwide responsibility for its operations and was a senior member of Graham Packaging’s Management Committee.

Bill was a member of the Advisory Board of Graham Partners Investments, L.P. and Graham Partners II, L.P., and served as a Director on the boards of Graham Engineering and Graham Architectural.

Bill graduated with highest distinction from The Pennsylvania State University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Business Administration with a major in Accounting. Following graduation, he joined the Harrisburg office of Ernst & Ernst (now Ernst & Young) where he attained his CPA certificate in May 1975, passing the examination with honors.

Bill has been an active and engaged supporter of philanthropic causes and community organizations, including having chaired or served on the Boards of WellSpan Health, York County Community Foundation, Penn State York Advisory Board, and The York County

Managing Director – Private Markets – Graham Capital

Dado is the Managing Director – Private Markets for Graham Capital and is responsible for origination, evaluation and monitoring of private equity funds and other private market investments. In addition, he focuses on portfolio asset allocation and performance forecasting. Dado also serves as a Senior Advisor to Graham Partners.

Dado has over 20 years of private equity experience. Prior to assuming his role at Graham Capital, Dado served as a Managing Principal of Graham Partners, where he was involved in private equity fund investing on behalf of Graham Capital as well as sourcing new investment opportunities and providing ongoing support and oversight for a number of Graham Partners’ portfolio companies. Previously, Dado was involved with corporate development activities relating to operating interests held by entities associated with The Graham Group – working on M&A transactions completed in France, the United Kingdom, Poland, Brazil, and Argentina, as well as major financings and the divestiture of a controlling interest in Graham Packaging Company to Blackstone.

Dado earned his B.A. in International Business and Strategic Management from Temple University, and his M.B.A. from Temple University’s Fox School of Business. He has also studied immunology, focusing on allergies and immune dysregulation. Originally from Croatia, Dado enjoys spending time with his family and playing tennis when not working. While at Temple University, Dado was on the varsity tennis team, where he was ranked as one of the top five collegiate players in the eastern United States.

Vice President – Legal and Tax – Graham Capital

Mike is the Vice President – Legal and Tax for Graham Capital Company and oversees all legal and tax matters for Graham Capital Company and all Graham affiliated entities. He is principally responsible for overseeing legal matters and tax research and planning for The Graham Group including federal, state, local and international tax planning as well as federal transfer tax planning and tax planning with respect to financial instruments and investments. Mike oversees a vast array of contractual, commercial and business matters and any legal controversies related thereto. He also oversees federal and state tax audits, as well as tax compliance matters for The Graham Group.

Mike has over 30 years of experience in the legal and tax fields. Previously, Mike was a senior tax manager with Ernst & Young serving large corporate clients in the manufacturing sector and financial institutions sector. Prior to working for Ernst & Young, Mike worked as an in-house tax attorney for New Holland North America, Inc., a global manufacturer of farm machinery and equipment. Mike earned his B.A. in Economics and History from Rutgers University, his J.D. from the Dickinson School of Law of Pennsylvania State University and his L.L.M. in Taxation from Villanova University School of Law. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and has spoken to various organizations on numerous tax topics.

Vice President  Administration and Group Controller and Chief Compliance Officer – Graham Capital

Chuck is the Vice President Administration and Group Controller and Chief Compliance Officer for Graham Capital and oversees all accounting and reporting matters for Graham Capital, Graham Engineering Corporation, and Graham Architectural Products Corporation. Chuck’s responsibilities include oversight of the investment and financial reporting for all Graham family entities. Chuck also interfaces with other financial executives at operating businesses that are members of The Graham Group, and is responsible for their risk management structures.

Chuck has over 30 years of experience in the accounting and finance fields. Previously, Chuck was a senior member of several manufacturing-related companies. Chuck also served as an audit manager for Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers), serving corporate clients in the manufacturing and financial institution sectors. Chuck earned his B.A. in Accounting from Loyola College and became a CPA immediately following graduation. Chuck serves in various volunteer organization positions.

Director of Taxation- Graham Capital

Amy is the Director of Taxation for Graham Capital Company. She is principally responsible for overseeing all federal, state, and local tax compliance as well as all federal and state audits for Graham Capital Company and all Graham related affiliates. Amy also oversees tax research and planning for The Graham Group.

Amy has over 30 years of experience in the tax field. Previously, Amy worked at the accounting firm of Ernst & Young servicing clients in the small business and mid-market clients, with an emphasis on pass-through entities and individuals. Prior to joining Graham Capital Company, Amy was a tax manager at Capital Blue Cross, a leading health insurance provider serving central Pennsylvania and the Leigh Valley. Amy earned her B.S. in Accounting from The Pennsylvania State University and is a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Pennsylvania Society of Tax and Accounting Professionals.

Vice President – Information Technology – Graham Capital

Jeff is the Vice President – Information Technology for Graham Capital and oversees all technology matters for Graham Capital, and its operating businesses. Jeff joined Graham Capital after serving over 13 years as the IT director at Graham Engineering Corporation. He is responsible for developing and leading the IT services group based at Graham Capital which supports multiple offices and manufacturing locations. Jeff is fully integrated with the management groups and actively leads Information Technology initiatives at the operating businesses.

Jeff has over 30 years of experience in the Information Technology field. Previously, Jeff was the technology manager with Glatfelter Paper Company supporting a global platform and guiding the company decisions through emerging Internet technologies. He was also responsible for the global Y2K project that spanned from Asia to Europe and throughout the United States. Jeff earned his B.A. in Mathematics/Computer Science from Gettysburg College and his M.S. in Information and Telecommunication Systems from Johns Hopkins University.  He holds several information technology industry certifications.

Additionally, Jeff serves on the Board of Directors for the Belmont Theater, is  a martial arts instructor, and works with the Sea Scouts, an adventure arm of the Boy Scouts that focuses on sailing, boating and other water activities.

Controller – Graham Capital

Steve is the Controller for Graham Capital and oversees the day to day financial activities of the accounting group including financial administration, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and cash management, among other functions. Steve joined Graham Capital in 1998 after serving for four years as the Accounting Manager at Graham Engineering Corporation. Steve’s responsibilities include the financial oversight of Graham Capital and all Graham family office related entities, oversight of various Graham audit engagements, implementation and maintenance of financial accounting software and investment management software, administration of Graham Companies benefit plans, and assistance with sourcing and maintenance of Graham Family investments. Steve also serves on the Graham Family Investment Committee, represents the Graham Companies on the Affinity Captive Insurance board of directors and works on special projects at various Graham operating companies.

Steve has over 30 years of experience in the accounting and finance fields. Prior to joining Graham, Steve worked as an auditor, tax preparer and small business consultant for Harry Ness & Company, CPAs in York, PA where he earned his CPA license. Steve earned his B.S. in Accounting with a minor in Psychology from Millersville University of Pennsylvania and a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Management from York College of Pennsylvania. While at Millersville, Steve was a co-captain of the cross country team and was an NCAA Division II all-conference and all-regional distance runner on the track team.

In 2010, Steve was elected to the West Manchester Township Board of Supervisors and has served as Chairman, Vice Chairman and board member since then. Steve has served on various volunteer boards and organizations including the Institute of Management Accountants, the New Birth of Freedom Council Boy Scouts of America, United Way of York County, the West Manchester Township Park & Recreation Board, and the National MS Society Leadership Award Committee. Steve has also coached and served in leadership positions for numerous youth sports organizations including lacrosse, cross country, track & field, football, basketball and soccer. Steve lives in York, PA with his wife Melanie and their four sons. In his spare time, Steve enjoys running, playing golf, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, spending time with his family and watching his sons’ sporting events.

Chairman – Graham Group

Donald Graham earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering & Business Management from the University of Michigan, where he remains actively involved on a philanthropic and volunteer basis. Don was inducted into the University of Michigan Engineering Honorary Societies; Pi Tau Sigma and Sigma Rho Tau. Don currently serves on the President’s Advisory Group for the University, founded the University’s Graham Sustainability Institute, and serves as an active volunteer in several areas including the University’s College of Engineering and Athletic Department. He has also received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from both York College of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan and is an Honorary Penn State Alumnus.

A committed supporter of educational, community, cultural and environmental projects, Don has funded programs at many other institutions, including Dartmouth College and York College of Pennsylvania (including the Graham Business School and the Graham Innovation Scholars Program), Penn State York (including the Graham Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Studies), the University of Pennsylvania (including the Penn Museum), the York YMCA’s Graham Aquatic Center, and Burke Mountain Academy (including the Graham Family Endowment).

Don has been active in many professional groups including the Young Presidents Organization, Chief Executive Officers, World Business Council, American Business Council, and the Recycling Advisory Council, and has served on numerous corporate and philanthropic boards including chair of the Board of Trustees of the Mpala Foundation in Kenya, which is involved in a health clinic, school, research center, ranch, and wildlife conservancy. He is a member of the Plastics Hall of Fame and recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Plastics Engineers.

Don is married with five children and seventeen grandchildren.

Chairman & CEO – Graham Capital

Paul Rudy is the Chairman and CEO of Graham Capital and sits on its Investment Committee. Prior to assuming the role of CFO of Graham Capital in 1998, Paul served in the position of Global Treasurer for the Graham Packaging Group, with responsibilities for world-wide treasury management, global taxation, investment management, and oversight of real estate operations. Paul was involved in the negotiation and planning of several acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures transactions for various companies that have been members of The Graham Group in France, Canada, Italy, United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, and China. Paul currently serves as a Director on the boards of Graham Engineering and Graham Architectural, and on the Advisory Boards of Graham Partners Annex, L.P. and Striker Partners. Paul’s additional responsibilities include serving as a Trustee for several Graham family trusts.

Previously, Paul was a senior tax consultant with Ernst & Young, serving clients in the small and emerging business group, with an emphasis on pass-through entities. Paul earned his B.S. in Accounting, with honors, from The Pennsylvania State University and is a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Paul also has served on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross, York-Adams Chapter, and has served as the Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair, and Audit Committee Chair. He is a board member of the York County Community Foundation and serves as Chair of its Investment Committee.

Chief Executive Officer and Senior Managing Principal – Graham Partners

Steven C. Graham founded Graham Partners in 1988 and serves as Chief Executive Officer and Senior Managing Principal. He oversees all of the activities of the private investment firm, including investment sourcing, evaluating, monitoring, and divesting. Steve serves on the boards of numerous portfolio companies of Graham Partners and on the firm’s Investment and Valuation Committees.

Prior to founding Graham Partners, Steve worked for Goldman, Sachs & Co. in its Investment Banking Division, and for the RAF Group. For the first decade after founding Graham Partners, Steve and his team oversaw corporate finance activities relating to operating interests associated with The Graham Group, managing merger, acquisition, and joint venture transactions for The Graham Group that were completed in Italy, France, Canada, The United Kingdom, Poland, Brazil, and Argentina, as well as major financings and the divestiture of a controlling interest in Graham Packaging Company to a Blackstone Group-controlled fund in 1998. During this period, Steve served as a member of both the Investment Committee and Advisory Board of The Graham Group, as an officer, board member, and Management Committee member of numerous Graham Group operating and investment entities, and as the Graham family trustee for trusts which owned direct or indirect interests in various Graham Group entities, a role he continues to serve in today.

Steve supports numerous causes philanthropically in the arts, athletics, dance, education and health care, including various scholarship programs for underprivileged youth. He also serves on the Advisory Boards of certain unaffiliated private investment funds managed by other general partners.

Steve earned his B.A. with a double major in Philosophy and English from Williams College in 1982, and his M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in 1986. While at Williams College, Steve was a three-sport varsity athlete (tennis, track, and skiing), and captain of the downhill ski team. Steve is still active in skiing, tennis, and other sports today.

Founder & Chairman – Inverness Graham

Ken Graham is the Senior Managing Principal and founder of Inverness Graham Investments, an operationally focused, lower middle market private investment firm with over $500M of assets under management. Ken oversees all activities of the firm, including investment sourcing, evaluation, monitoring and divestiture. Prior to forming Inverness Graham, Ken served as Senior Vice President of Graham Packaging Company, heading Latin American Operations, Global Business Development, and the Tetra Pak/Graham Global Alliance and as Executive Chairman of Graham Engineering Corporation. Earlier in his career, Ken served as Director of Business Development for Superconducting Core Technologies, as a manager for turnaround consultants Mackenzie, Hovey and Associates, and was a co-founder of media technology and services firm Media Stream. Ken currently serves on the National Advisory Board for Technology Transfer at the University of Michigan and as a trustee of Thomas Jefferson University. He is Vice Chairman of the Burke Mountain Academy Board of Trustees and is active in numerous other professional organizations in private equity and regional business. Ken earned his B.A. from Dartmouth College and his MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College.

Founder & Managing Principal – Striker Partners

Richard Graham is a Managing Principal and the founder of Striker Partners where he oversees all activities of the private investment firm including sourcing, evaluating, monitoring, and divesting of portfolio company interests. Striker is involved in multiple industry verticals, including business services, education, logistics, healthcare and sports, specifically soccer, which Striker manages through the For Soccer Ventures platform.

Richard serves on the boards of numerous Striker portfolio companies and on the firm’s Investment Committee. He also leads the Graham family’s investment in Major League Soccer through the Philadelphia Union franchise, where he was actively involved in building the highly regarded Union Academy program and founded YSC Academy, an innovative and first-of-its-kind soccer-specific school for elite soccer players from grades 6 through 12.

Striker Partners is a member of The Graham Group, an alliance of independent investment firms, operating businesses and philanthropic entities. Richard has a broad array of philanthropic and charitable interests, among which include nature and conservation initiatives he undertakes through Richie Graham Photography.

Richard earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College, and resides in suburban Philadelphia with his family.

Please visit Richie’s website www.richiegraham.com

Founder & Managing Principal – Graham Software Development

Erik Graham is a Managing Principal and founder of Graham Software Development LLC, with primary responsibility for the strategic direction of the firm. He plays the lead role in coordinating GSD’s relationships with its portfolio companies, with a specific focus on maximizing synergies across the GSD portfolio.

Prior to GSD, Erik was a successful independent investor in New York City. Erik invested successfully in early stage technology businesses and real estate. Erik previously worked as an investment banker for Morgan Stanley (then Smith Barney). Additionally, Mr. Graham worked for Graham Partners, sourcing transactions and evaluating investment opportunities primarily within industrial sectors.

Erik earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College, and resides in suburban Philadelphia with his wife, two sons, and daughter.

Director – Graham Foundation Trust

Kristi is a Director of the Graham Foundation Trust, which is a charitable foundation supporting philanthropic initiatives in education, culture, history, the arts, architecture, sustainability and athletics. The Foundation funds a broad array of programs in education and culture, supporting organizations and communities which offer artistic, historic and athletic programming, many of which benefit under resourced communities.

Kristi is also a Board member of YSC Academy, a private school for students from 6th through 12th grade who are elite soccer players, and headed to the professional or collegiate ranks, with over 95% of the student body on scholarship. She is a Board member of the Historic Hellam Preserve, a Pennsylvania a cultural landmark and educational venue dedicated to the preservation and presentation of early Pennsylvania German farm architecture. Kristi is also an Advisory Board member of The SWAG, a philanthropically funded, no cost soccer training program focused on opportunities for young athletes ages 4 through 8 from Philadelphia Pennsylvania’s African-American and immigrant communities. She is the former Chairman of Lightening Soccer Club in New Hampshire and served as a Board member for many years at Burke Mountain Academy in Vermont, the first sports academy in the United States, which has produced over 50 Olympians in ski racing, multiple Olympic gold medal winners, FIS World Cup Champions and hundreds of NCAA All Americans.

Kristi is an Advisory Board member of Graham Capital Investments (GCI), a Graham Group private investment firm making direct equity co-investments with independent sponsors and small general partners in existing portfolio companies and continuation vehicles, partnering with other firms which have close ties with family investment offices.

Kristi earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College, where she was a varsity athlete in ski racing and soccer, and a Master of Fine Arts from Pennsylvania State University. She resides in Vermont with her family.

Director – Graham Foundation Trust

Ingrid is a Director of the Graham Foundation Trust, which is a charitable foundation supporting philanthropic initiatives in education, culture, history, the arts, architecture, sustainability and athletics. The Foundation funds a broad array of programs in education and culture, supporting organizations and communities which offer artistic, historic and athletic programming, many of which benefit under resourced communities.

Ingrid is an Advisory Board member at the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Museum, which is the home to over one million archeological artifacts from the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean and dates back to 1887. Ingrid is also the Founder and a Board member of the Historic Hellam Preserve, a Pennsylvania a cultural landmark and educational venue dedicated to the preservation and presentation of early Pennsylvania German farm architecture. A longstanding supporter of early American arts, furniture and architecture, Ingrid has also restored historic Long Hill in Maryland which is part of the United States National Register of Historic Places.

Ingrid is a botanical artist and member of Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators. Her award winning works have been presented in various shows, such as the United States Botanical Garden on the Mall in Washington D.C., the Philadelphia Flower Show and the Chanticleer arboretum. Additionally, Ingrid’s floral designs been awarded at shows in the United states, Germany, Ireland, and Bermuda.

Ingrid and her husband Don have been substantial supporters of philanthropic causes in the arts, architecture, culture, education, and history throughout the United States for over 60 years.

Ingrid earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan, where she majored in Fine Arts and lives in Pennsylvania with her family.