“Believer in Communications & Defender of Journalism”

As Franco’s vice president of media relations, Brent Snavely leverages his decades of experience as a journalist and a public relations professional to provide media relations strategy and counsel to automotive and B2B clients, as well as providing media relations best practices to Franco’s team members.

Prior to transitioning into the PR industry, Brent spent 23 years as a journalist. He was a reporter for nine years at the Detroit Free Press, nine years at Crain’s Detroit Business and six years at newspapers in the Columbus, Ohio metro area.

At the Detroit Free Press, Brent covered the restructuring of Ford Motor Company while Alan Mulally was CEO and, later, the restructuring of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles while Sergio Marchionne was CEO. In 2011, Brent was part of a team of reporters who won a Gerald Loeb Award for coverage of the UAW’s groundbreaking contract talks with General Motors. He also served as a key member of the paper’s team of reporters that chronicled Detroit’s descent into and out of Chapter 9 bankruptcy.

In his most recent role at Lambert & Co., Brent led account teams for several automotive and crisis communications clients. Crisis clients included two multi-billion-dollar companies that faced long-term environmental issues.

Brent believes deeply in teamwork and is passionate about mentoring and teaching others. The philosophy that a small number of people can achieve great things when everyone embraces a clear vision has led to Brent’s biggest successes both in journalism and public relations.

Brent holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wittenberg University. He has lived in Detroit for 22 years and currently resides in West Village with his wife. When he’s not working, Brent loves cooking and being outdoors. He enjoys hiking, biking, running, kayaking and camping and can often be found at Belle Isle – especially on weekends.

“The People Person”

Cayce Cowan is an integrated communications manager and oversees several of Franco’s consumer and professional services clients, providing counsel and acting as a trusted partner to bring a client’s vision to life. A natural leader, she empowers her team to strive for the best results possible, while quarterbacking strategy and overseeing project management.

Cayce has 10 years of experience helping companies connect to their customers through branding, communications strategy and customer experience. Her breadth of experience is one of her biggest assets. In addition to working in agencies, she has launched restaurants, overseen the creation of several hospitality brands and businesses and successfully managed a $5 million retail storefront. No matter where she goes, Cayce’s strong interpersonal skills, deep understanding of people and go-getter attitude keep her one step ahead and always evolving.

Her favorite quote is “Leaders are learners, not knowers,” by Brené Brown. It reminds her to lead with humbleness, to always ask questions and to learn from everyone around her. While most people know her for being the outgoing and social one in the group, it’s the moments of solitude and her ability to self-reflect that make Cayce a great leader and strategist. She says her best ideas usually come when she’s on a walk with her dog, Gidget, and two kids, Gideon and Cameran.

Cayce holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Oakland University, with a specialty in public relations.

“A Purpose-Driven, Creative Writing Guru”

Known for her punchy copywriting and brand storytelling, Christina is passionate about curating narratives that depict the work of clients to further their missions and goals. Christina provides social media and public relations support to several clients across a variety of industries, including nonprofit, B2B, B2C, education and automotive.

Prior to joining Franco, Christina harnessed her social media skills in the B2B space as a marketing intern at Brandmotion. Her passion for nonprofit work began when she served as a grants coordinator for the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester, a role that allowed her to work closely with donors and the community. She was also a founding member of the Oakland University chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America.

Christina lives in Ferndale with her feline roommate, Twyla. A self-proclaimed fanatique française, Christina spent a summer in France to immerse herself in the culture and improve her French, even becoming a certified translator upon returning. When she’s not working, you can find her perusing metro Detroit thrift stores looking for deals and unique finds.

Christina earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication and public relations with a minor in French Language from Oakland University.

“Persistent Project Manager Dedicated to the Details”

Alexis Schuchert is a senior integrated communications specialist who works with a variety of Franco’s consumer, nonprofit and professional service clients. Her specialties include project management, content development, media relations, social media and event planning. Alexis’ driven and dependable nature and detail-oriented mindset paired with her affinity for organization makes her a go-to member of the Franco team.

Prior to joining Franco, Alexis harnessed her skills in communications, marketing and social media at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln, the National Academy of TV Arts and Sciences – Michigan Chapter and Butter Knife (a public relations agency based in Cape Town, South Africa). She also held several executive board positions with Central Michigan University’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).

Prior to discovering her passion for integrated communications, she participated in several choirs, musicals and a cappella groups over the years. In Alexis’ free time, you can find her basking in the sun, enjoying Michigan’s lakes, snowboarding, watching reality TV or loving on animals.

She earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts in integrative public relations from Central Michigan University – Fire Up, Chips! Alexis resides in Saint Clair Shores, MI with her boyfriend and cat.

“Chronic Interviewer & Lifelong Learner”

In her role as a senior integrated communications specialist, Grace Turner supports a variety of Franco’s automotive and B2B accounts with an emphasis on media relations and content writing.

Grace leverages her previous editorial experience to serve as an in-house media relations expert and content writing aficionado. Prior to joining Franco in 2021, Grace served as the associate editor for DBusiness for three years. She was previously the education reporter for the Times Herald.

Her life motto speaks to her unwavering work ethic: “Every big, significant change you want to make in your life is just a series of tiny steps.” When not working from the comfort of her chaise longue, Grace makes time to travel with her husband, play with her rabbit, tend to one of her 40(ish) house plants or sew her own formal gowns.

Grace holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees from Oakland University, where she majored in journalism, as well as French language and literature. Upon graduation, she was awarded the Oakland University College of Arts and Sciences Meritorious Achievement Award.

“Digital Content Chameleon”

Kaitlin (Kaiti) Harworth is an integrated communications supervisor – digital who specializes in social media, email marketing, digital advertising and digital event management. She leads and supports a wide variety of client accounts – ranging from B2B and B2C to nonprofit, professional services and more – as well as the agency’s marketing, ensuring digital strategies generate quality engagements and conversions. She combines her traditional communications skills, like writing and project management, with her digital expertise and love for reporting and analytics to creatively address client and agency needs in a unique and integrated way.

As a lover of storytelling and all things digital, Kaiti finds joy in becoming an extension of her client teams. Her creative process begins with deeply understanding her clients’ “why” and ends with producing captivating content that moves them toward their communications goals. Her supportive, easy-going nature makes her a reliable teammate who can swiftly navigate long-term digital strategies and maintain flexibility when faced with short deadlines and unpredictability.

Her personal values are rooted in Empathy and Forward Motion, and her favorite quote is from Paulo Coelho’s book The Alchemist: “Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure. You’ve got to find the treasure, so that everything you have learned along the way can make sense.”

Although she grew up in the northern part of the lower peninsula (Rogers City, Mich.), she loves living in metro Detroit with her husband, PJ. She’s beyond grateful to have access to so many good restaurants and all the live music she could ask for. When Kaiti and PJ aren’t exploring metro Detroit, she loves cooking, reading and watching movies at home.

Kaiti holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts in integrative public relations from Central Michigan University (CMU). While at CMU, she held executive board and leadership roles in the university’s student-run public relations firm, PR Central.

“Executive Wingman”

Brian Esterberg is a Franco consultant and strategic advisor specializing in the areas of automotive/mobility, corporate relations, collaboration, research, network development and technology acceleration. Prior to joining the team in 2020, Brian was a Franco client for over two years, collaborating on integrated marketing communications for the American Iron and Steel Institute where he was senior business strategist and director of automotive marketing and communications.

Brian owns his own consulting firm, BEC Strategies LLC, and is an accomplished automotive relationship and program management professional. He has extensive experience working with automakers and tier suppliers, along with advising a variety of traditional, start-up and technology companies with market trends, insights and analysis.

Brian is most enthusiastic about partnering with executives and clients to help them achieve their strategic goals. Drawing on his experience working with automakers, suppliers, agencies and associations, he brings an outsider’s perspective that’s based on his deep insider knowledge of the automotive/mobility ecosystem.

He is active with the Society of Automotive Analysts, an editorial advisor to Lightweighting World and is the former vice president, corporate relations and director, strategic program development at the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) in Ann Arbor, MI.

Outside of work, Brian enjoys spending time with his wife, Pia, who both enjoy mountain biking, traveling and spending as much time as possible in sunny San Diego. He also enjoys home renovations, landscaping and keeping up with automotive/mobility trends and innovation.

“Tenacious Trailblazer”

As strategic growth manager, Emily Hebert helps elevate the agency’s strategic impact and supports right-fit partnerships that accelerate long-term success. With a blend of strategic vision, disciplined project management and a results-oriented mindset, Emily drives quality in both client work and Franco’s new business growth efforts.

In her agency role, Emily works closely with Franco’s executive partnership to advance agency business development initiatives. She oversees the agency’s new business materials and processes – ensuring quality, consistency and alignment with Franco’s values while driving data-informed decision making and continuous improvement across the pipeline.

On the client side, Emily supports strategy and program management, translating business objectives into actionable, integrated communications programs for clients in economic development, B2B and consumer sectors. Her work spans internal and corporate communications, change management, media relations, event support and large-scale transformation initiatives. An advocate for communications strategies that move the most important business needles, Emily always starts a client partnership by seeking to understand the “why.”

Grounded in Franco’s Opportunity core value, Emily has wasted no time honing her skills and actively seeking out new challenges since joining the Franco team as an intern in early 2020. The tenacious and positive energy she brings to every team and project helped her quickly progress from an intern to a senior-level role.

A lifelong Detroit lover, Emily graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Arts in public relations. She’s now continuing her Detroit journey, residing in Midtown with her dog, Mocha.

“Wordsmith. Doer. Advocate.”

Tracy Wolf has a passion for storytelling, which she uses to make an impact for her clients and the people they serve. As an integrated communications manager, Tracy develops and executes integrated communications strategies for Franco’s nonprofit and consumer clients.

Her motivation to get out of bed in the morning is simple: she wants a challenge. Clients rely on Tracy’s counsel, particularly when storytelling and fundraising. She brings program management, media relations, social media and content development expertise to her clients’ programs.

Since joining Franco in 2018, Tracy has helped the agency earn recognition for award-winning work, including the IABC Heritage Region Silver Quill Awards, PRSA Diamond Awards and a very special PR Daily Agency of the Year Award.

Tracy believes in Franco’s core value of Courageous Truth and carries that torch with her wherever she goes. She believes integrity is crucial, and while it’s not always easy to speak up, when we do, we show our true selves – both in our professional and personal lives.

Tracy serves as a board member for the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Detroit chapter. A proud alumna of Wayne State University, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in public relations with a minor in new media.

She resides in Livonia with her husband and two cats, Frankie and Milo.

“Digital Marketing Maven”

As director of digital & AI, Lexi Trimpe empowers the Franco team to create and manage data-driven, digital programs that “move the needle” in tangible ways.

Lexi works with a variety of Franco’s B2B, automotive and SaaS clients, with vast experience spanning from social media strategy and email marketing to content creation for engineering and automotive retail audiences. As Franco’s digital team lead, Lexi helps drive innovation and excellence across the agency including spearheading Franco’s AI adoption task force.

Before joining Franco in 2018, Lexi worked as web editor for Hour Detroit, with bylines appearing in Dbusiness, Model D Media, Eater Detroit, Thrillist, Roads & Kingdoms and more.

A writer at heart, Lexi is always searching for the best way to tell a story — and the best platform to share it on. As a self-professed “professional nerd,” Lexi playfully attributes her lifelong love of the Internet to her parents buying her a Gateway computer in elementary school. With an early knack for HTML and a forever passion for hearing and telling stories, her digital marketing career is more than two decades in the making.

When not behind her laptop or camera lens, you can find Lexi in her garden or crafting alongside her husband, Rob, and their four-legged kids, Rocko and Gooby. Lexi holds a Bachelor of the Arts in journalism from Wayne State University.