“The Social Storyteller”

As an integrated communications manager – digital at Franco, Catherine is responsible for developing digital content strategies that support each client’s specific goals and brand voice. She works closely with clients in a variety of industries to craft share-worthy digital content that drives action beyond a user’s social timeline. She feels she was destined for agency life and thrives on new relationships created and results generated every day.

Working in the digital field since 2018, Catherine started her career at a metro Detroit agency where she served as an account executive. Her love for integrated communications campaigns started during her time at Central Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in integrative public relations.

Catherine continues to build her skillset through various digital certifications and programs.

If you are looking for the way to Catherine’s heart, share a picture of your pet with her or send along the best TikTok you’ve seen that day. She’ll return the favor by updating you on the latest adventures of JJ, the deaf, senior cat she adopted in 2020.

“Reliability Champion”

As an integrated communications director, Dan Horn provides strategic counsel and program management for Franco’s B2B clients, mainly in the automotive, technology and manufacturing industries. He advises clients using Courageous Truth – his favorite Franco core value – as his guiding principle. His recommendations for integrated approaches, strategies and tactics to effectively communicate to a client’s audiences never just check the box. Rather, they rely on proven strategies and recommendations for the channels and messages that will have a real impact on his clients’ goals.

Dan loves the storytelling aspect of communications. He has spent years honing his storytelling skills since starting his career in radio with ClearChannel Radio (now iHeart Radio). Years later, he still loves traditional radio – utilizing NPR as his go-to news source.

With Franco, he leans on his radio experience as a co-host of the frankly… podcast and continues to enjoy the challenge of telling clients’ stories in an engaging way.

Outside of Franco, Dan has a passion for music and restoring classic Volkswagens – everything from old Beetles and buses to VW-powered dune buggies – and collecting guitars. One of his favorite Franco memories is playing a Detroit-made Wallace Guitar on stage at the Grand Prixmier charity auction for the Belle Isle Conservancy. When he’s not restoring cars and playing music, you can find him spending time with his girlfriend, Dana, and two cats, Cat Dana and Mopsy.

Dan holds a Bachelor of Science in advertising and public relations from Grand Valley State University. He is also a member of the Automotive Press Association and a graduate of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit Class 44.

“Data Warrior”

As an integrated communications director and Franco’s director of operations, Joe Ferlito leads the agency’s technology and data strategy with a keen eye toward our clients’ evolving needs. He is also responsible for managing integrated communications programs for some of Franco’s B2B clients.

One of Franco’s top advocates for data-driven communications, Joe’s work is guided by organization, analytics, reliability and Franco’s core value of Forward Motion. He is certified in Google Analytics, email marketing and the PESO Model, so next time you talk with Joe, ask him about the importance of integration, data and measurement for your communications efforts.

Since joining the agency in 2008, Joe has supported clients across the communications spectrum, from event planning for Tier 1 automotive suppliers and consumer brand grand openings to guiding clients’ strategic communications as they navigate complex mergers and acquisitions. Joe’s favorite question to ask is, “Are you doing it this way because it’s how you’ve always done it, or because it’s the best approach to meet your goals?”

Outside of work, Joe is a golfer and an avid outdoorsman with a passion for hunting and fishing. When he’s not on the course or lost in nature, you can find him traveling and spending time with his wife, Nicole, and their two children.

Joe holds a Bachelor of Science in advertising and public relations from Grand Valley State University. He is also a member of the Detroit Economic Club’s Young Leaders.

“Jill of All Trades & Franco’s Rock”

Lori Cook joined the Franco team more than a decade ago and immediately became the glue that holds everyone together. As the company’s office manager, Lori handles bookkeeping, human resources, IT, and most importantly, feeding the staff snacks! Beyond her typical role, Lori steps in as Franco’s mom, dispensing an abundance of advice and hugs.

Her calming influence and problem-solving skills keep the Franco ship moving. Not only because she was an important part of remodeling the office, but Lori is also the go-to resource for knowing where everything is off the top of her head.

Prior to joining Franco, Lori owned and operated a bookkeeping business for retail, service and nonprofit clients.

When she isn’t tending to her Franco family, Lori is spending time with her husband, Alan, her children, Michelle, Craig and Kyle, and grandchildren, Henry and Emmie. Lori enjoys time up north at her cottage driving her Kawaski Teryx UTV and the pontoon boat in the summer, snowmobiling in the winter and relaxing with a craft beer any time of the year.

“Dedicated Program Manager & Account Strategist With an Eye for Integration”

Rachel Piligian is an integrated communications manager specializing in strategic planning and program management. She is a dedicated strategist, focused on crafting and optimizing programs that bring together all elements of integrated communications to deliver the greatest return to her clients. Rachel’s loyalty, outgoing personality and drive make her a go-to collaborator for colleagues and clients alike.

Rachel is a champion for Franco’s people-powered, data-driven approach with a meticulous eye for program metrics and analysis. Whether it’s building relationships, sharing news, planning events that excite or introducing others to organizations with incredible missions, she plays a critical role in connecting her clients to those who drive their businesses forward.

Before joining Franco as an intern in 2016, Rachel took her college career by storm interning with Yazaki North America and the Capital Area Humane Society. She also served on the executive board of Michigan State University’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and its student-run public relations agency, Hubbell Connections.

You can hear Rachel co-hosting with Dan Horn on Franco’s podcast – frankly… where they discuss integrated communications, business, media, life advice and more with the best in the industry. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication with a minor in public relations from Michigan State University.

“Visual Storyteller”

As Franco’s art director, Lily collaborates closely with account teams to seamlessly integrate creative design with strategic communications, delivering dynamic work that captivates audiences and drives results. Specializing in the ever-evolving digital realm, Lily ensures that agency digital creative assets are not just visually engaging but also meticulously optimized for targeted platforms and placements.

If Lily isn’t behind the screen designing, she can be found enjoying live music, on the hunt for the best coffee in Detroit or watching movies with her hairless cat, Zuko.

Lily holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication with minors in advertising and graphic design from Oakland University, where she also served as vice president of PRSSA. She holds several certifications in advertising and creative strategy from Google and HubSpot. She’s constantly expanding her skill set and staying at the forefront of industry trends.

“Life-Long Pursuer of Personal & Professional Growth”

As Franco’s senior VP, Nikki Little oversees strategic initiatives for clients and the agency, with a specific focus on integrating and aligning communications services for maximum results. Nikki also manages the integrated marketing efforts for the agency. Nikki’s career has come full circle – her first job out of college in January 2007 was at Franco, where she spent three years working her way up from an assistant account executive to a senior account executive.

Prior to re-joining Franco in September 2019, Nikki served as the director of communications at White Glove, where she managed all internal and external communications efforts for the company. Nikki also spent 7.5 years at Identity, starting as a social media specialist and eventually moving into the director of social media role.

Nikki thrives on purpose and impact. Loyalty, gratitude and well-being are her core values (she credits Brené Brown’s books with helping her identify those values). When Nikki commits to something, she pours her heart and soul into it and won’t give up until the job is not just done but done well. She’s a firm believer in the Marie Kondo mentality of putting effort and energy into what brings the most joy…while also being equipped to take on the inevitable curveballs that don’t fall within the joy category! That approach has led to a quote Nikki lives by: “Embrace the joyfear.”

Nikki holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts in integrative public relations and Spanish from Central Michigan University. Fun fact: Nikki studied abroad for her final college semester in Valdivia, Chile where she had her first (and likely only!) experience climbing a volcano.

Outside of her work at Franco, Nikki is an Impact100 Oakland County board member, where she volunteers on the member communications committee and handles member email communication. Nikki also publishes The MichComms Report, a bi-weekly e-newsletter for Michigan communications professionals. She loves to read, work out and play tennis – and she may occasionally choose cleaning and organizing as a method of relaxation. But nothing fills her cup more than spending time with her husband, Mike, and her identical twin boys, Nolan and Evan.

“Quality Control Connoisseur & Self-Proclaimed Neat Freak” 

As Franco’s president and chief operating officer, Tina Benvenuti Sullivan ensures operational excellence for employees, clients and the agency. She oversees Franco’s leadership team and emerging leaders, directs talent development and supports the firm’s scalability and expansion efforts. Tina manages agency operations, with a focus on expanding Franco’s capabilities and mentoring team members as they develop leadership skills. In addition to agency operations, Tina also serves as lead counsel for the agency’s B2B, automotive, manufacturing and technology clients, applying her vast experience in branding, communications and project management to guide Franco’s account teams and new business development.

A self-proclaimed neat freak, Tina can take any unorganized mess and turn it into a color-coded, alphabetized masterpiece. Her undying passion for a well-designed space (both at home and in the office) was critical during her management of Franco’s office redesign in 2017.

Prior to joining Franco, Tina worked in a variety of corporate and agency roles related to the automotive industry. She was a news desk and corporate communications manager at the former Chrysler Group LLC and the communications director for Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES). During her time as the AYES communications director she was dedicated to preparing high school students for a career in automotive technology, leading community programming and developing marketing campaigns to generate consumer awareness. Additionally, she served as the managing director at Eview360, a local brand experience and design studio, guiding account teams in quality control and managing design timelines. Tina also spent nearly a decade at a boutique automotive public relations firm early in her career.

Tina is an active member of the Automotive Press Association (APA) and Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC). She currently serves as a board member for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

Tina holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of Michigan. She is also a graduate of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit XXXVI.

Tina resides in Troy with her husband, two daughters and beloved Goldendoodle. The family often enjoys spending time at their cottage on Lake Huron.

“Chief Courage Officer”

Tina Kozak is the first woman and only the third person to hold the CEO position in Franco’s history. In early 2024, as part of an ownership transition between Tina and former Chairman Dan Ponder, Tina became majority shareholder and owner of Franco.

Her career highlights span a variety of areas from client service and industry innovation to organizational culture and empowering women.

As Franco’s CEO, she leads the company in its values, culture and strategic vision. One of metro Detroit’s most respected crisis communications strategists, Tina counsels a range of clients in communications strategy, change management and community relations. Tina challenges clients to think differently about communications and seeks to influence organizational performance, not just tell stories.

Driving change in a decades-old business is challenging, but Tina has made it her mission to honor Franco’s legacy while staying ahead of the relevance curve. Under her leadership, Franco has added services and talent to evolve the agency from traditional public relations to integrated communications, leading to double-digit growth in revenue and employees.

Tina is passionate about mental health and women’s issues. She works hard to set an example for those around her to practice self-care, vulnerability and reflection.

Tina loves Detroit. The city’s perpetual resilience is a major source of inspiration for her and her work. You can often find Tina taking time to reflect and refresh on Detroit’s Belle Isle, alongside her husband and two daughters.

Tina’s dedication to her community is reflected in her charitable work with nonprofits including Life Remodeled which supports Detroit neighborhoods and Michigan Women Forward, where she serves as business coach and mentor for female entrepreneurs.

Before joining Franco in 2007, Tina was the global communications manager at auto supplier Metaldyne Corp. (now part of American Axle) where she managed strategic communications plans across an international company with $2 billion in revenue and 7,500 employees in 14 countries.

Tina holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wayne State University. She is also a graduate of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit XXXIII and was recognized as a Crain’s Detroit Business 40 under 40 honoree.