Leadership Team
Founder & Chief Executive
Wayne D. Brannon
Wayne has been an active leader in the global business community for decades and has a relentless passion for excellence.
He was Vice President of GM Overseas Development Corporation & Director of New Business Development for Africa and the Middle East during the early nineties, and later led Strategic Planning and Marketing Planning for GM do Brazil in Sao Paulo. Wayne was appointed to the Global Chevrolet Brand Board in 1998 and served in that forum for the balance of his time with General Motors, becoming a key senior voice of the Chevrolet brand globally for many years. Wayne also served as Regional Director, Sales & Marketing for GM's South America, Africa & Middle East region and was a senior member of the Regional Executive Strategy Board. In 2006, Wayne was appointed President & Managing Director of Chevrolet Europe to re-launch the brand across 37 countries and turn-around a struggling business. During this time, Wayne also held the titles of Vice President GM Europe, VP of GM International Operations, CEO of Cadillac Europe, and in 2010/11, CEO & Chairman of GM Europe. Wayne received the EuroBest Award for Best Brand CEO from Automotive News in 2008, and in 2011, his final year in Europe, both Chevrolet and Wayne received "Company Best" and "Man Best" honors from a jury of independent journalists across Europe.
Today, Wayne is the Founder and CEO of Gr8 Road Partners based in Naples, Florida and also has a summer home in Southeastern Michigan. Gr8 Road is focused on business strategy optimization, problem solving, C-suite executive coaching and global business development. In this capacity, Wayne has worked with many OEM’s and suppliers to the auto industry, including his interim role as Chief Marketing Officer for VW of America during most of 2013. In addition, he advises and support multiple automotive marketing companies which provide various solutions for the automotive industry and vehicle retailers. This has included his previous executive advisory role for a major US media company, and formerly as non-Exec Director for a UK based company that owned a leading solution of personalized video. Wayne is also serving as Advisory Board Chairman for TrueChoice Solutions — a global leader in real-time preference analytics, and that is actively engaged in both consumer focused marketing products, as well as, innovative Human Resources products. Wayne has also worked extensively with consumer products companies, healthcare businesses and as an executive coach with leaders across many industries.
Most recently, Wayne is leading the launch of a unique innovation in data intelligence for AI that will revolutionize the process moving raw data to AI ready.
In 2025, Wayne also launched his leadership focused podcast — “Driven to Lead” — which explores the leadership lessons within the real-world stories of key executives. You can watch episodes of the podcast on YouTube, or listen on Spotify, Apple Music or Amazon Prime.
When possible, Wayne donates his time by lecturing at local universities and as a mentor and advisor to individuals and start-up companies in North America, South America and Europe. Wayne earned an MBA from Michigan State University, and a BIA from GMI, now Kettering University.
Gr8 Road Leadership Team
Captain Steven L. Briganti, US Navy (Retired)
Captain Steve Briganti served a distinguished career as a decorated veteran US Navy aviator, Fortune 50 senior executive, Founder/CEO and serial entrepreneur, Managing and Senior Partner in financial and consulting groups, film Executive Producer and Board Member.
Focusing largely in the aerospace/defense, Data/AI and high tech industries, Steve recently served as CTO at aerospace/drone company, The AIRO Group, helping to lead it to IPO on the NASDAQ. He currently serves as co-Founder of optical technology company, Soliddd, developing breakthrough eyeglasses for the blind and revolutionary lenses for hyper-visual acuity. Steve also serves as Senior Partner at Private Equity and Finance companies: CATO Capital, Federal Finance and Channel Rock, LLC. Additionally, Steve is a Principle at NATSEC Capital, and a Senior Partner at Data/AI technology company Ellipsoid Intelligence, and GR8 Road Partners consulting group.
Steve serves on the Boards of film company Xenon Pictures, and one of the world’s most advanced electric motor companies.
Steve previously served as a corporate executive at Fortune 100 companies Lockheed Martin General Dynamics-Network Systems, spearheading multi-billion-dollar global network deployments for the US Defense Department.
As a serial entrepreneur, Steve co-founded Soliddd Corp, and has held c-suite and Board positions to lead several companies to acquisition and Inc.’s “Fastest Growing Companies.” Steve also co-founded and served as COO of the cybersecurity non-profit, The Security Innovation Network; and as Managing Partner of private investment firm, Channel Rock.
During his distinguished US Navy service, Steve served as the first acting CIO of global Navy and Marine Corps networks; served as a Chief of Staff to Deputy Chief of Naval Operations; as Congressional advisor to the Secretary of the Navy; commanded a Navy aviation squadron; directed a $200 million military aviation program, and led the Navy’s “Top Gun” equivalent for air anti-submarine warfare.
Steve holds a master’s degree from the Naval War College and a BA from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He was appointed a Federal Executive Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford, and a US Navy Fellow at MIT.
Executive Partner, Wash, DC
Patricia Buoy
Focused, approachable, and driven by results, Patti is all about building strong relationships. She helps connect people to the right solutions—with clarity and care. Her deep experience in education, training and people development is at the heart of our executive coaching practice. And, her extensive work recently in healthcare has activated Gr8 Road’s venture into this arena as well.
Executive Partner, Detroit, MiExecutive parnter, Naples, FlSebastien Leduc
Creative, strategic and approachable in equal measure, Sebastien brings extensive technology experience and AI expertise to the team. He also leads IT insights and practical IT solutions to drive business success for his clients. Sebastien Leduc, a seasoned business advisor who has accompanied nearly 300 startups in the last 2 decades, is a newer year-round Naples resident. He recently founded Naples Tech Meetup, a business community platform connecting serial entrepreneurs, funders and innovators in SWFL. With strong experience building and scaling innovation across America through his advisory firm, Espresso Ventures, Sebastien serves CEO and Partner of Appcom, bridging the gap between business needs and cutting-edge engineering with real-world outcomes that drive adoption. When not building ventures, he enjoys life in paradise with his family of five, gets involved in local charities and geeks out on tech & motorsports.
Premium Corporate Partners
Buoyancy Studio
A writing and narrative design studio where ideas that float grow into stories, films, and experiences that uplift.….Buoyancy was founded by nurturing ideas that float:narratives that bob above the sea of everyday life to resonate with audiences of every stripe.
Whether working with partners to shape their brand narratives, bringing the impossible to life through motion and design, pushing the boundaries of storytelling through video, or creating experiences that help us reimagine what's possible, we believe in the power of story: to send messages, change minds, and make sense of the world around us.
Corporate Partner, Los Angeles, CA
SquidX
At SquidX, the mission is to empower businesses by diving deep to uncover their unique needs and deliver custom, agile solutions that drive growth. More than just an agence, we are a committed, trusted partner tht stands beside you, fuels your brand’s identity and helps you navigate the ever-changing tides of today’s rapidly evolving marketplace.
Corporate Partner, Tampa, FL
Corporate Partner, LOngueuil, QCAppCom
Located in the Montreal area, Appcom is a studio specializing in the development of mobile and Web applications. Appcom, a software engineering and AI firm with 40 employees rooted in Montreal, recently opened its Florida office in the Naples area, expanding its American presence with its new Florida-based team. With 15 years of experience supporting Enterprise and VC backed companies from the Valley for over a decade, the team fully embraces AI opportunities, believing AI amplifies human capabilities rather than replacing