“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 an associate art director, Lily Stotz supports design efforts by formulating creative solutions and delivering dynamic work that meets clients’ goals. She believes in riding the line between creative innovation and effective communication to deliver powerful designs that resonate with audiences.

A creative since childhood, studying communications gave her the tools to utilize her artistic skills in purposeful and meaningful ways. As a kid, Lily’s favorite activity was drawing on Microsoft Paint on her clunky desktop computer. Although the technology has gotten sleeker, she hasn’t strayed too far from that passion for digital content creation.

If Lily isn’t at her desk designing or drawing, 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 is a member of AdCraft Detroit and the Detroit chapter of PRSA.

“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.

“Captain ‘o Captain”

In Dan’s role as chairman emeritus at Franco, he serves as a strategic consultant and ambassador for the company.

He is often sought out for his extensive knowledge of board of director governance, c-suite communications, community relations and business operations.

Dan joined the Franco team in 1985 and is credited for building the company’s culture of caring – caring about each other, clients and the community at large. Franco’s culture has provided a sense of belonging and great purpose in his work life. He puts his whole heart into Franco’s core value of Opportunity, driving results and impact for clients and serving as a source of inspiration for everyone he works with.

In 2024, Dan completed an ownership transition to CEO Tina Kozak, where Tina became the majority shareholder and owner of Franco.

Dan represents Franco across many community organizations, including:

• The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division Metro Advisory Board – Executive Committee, Chair – Program and Service Committee
• The Salvation Army Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Center Advisory Council – Chair of the Board, Executive Committee
• Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors – Executive Committee, Chair – Finance and Audit Committee
• Crime Stoppers of Michigan Board of Directors – Past Board Chair, Executive Committee, Chair – Annual Fundraiser
• Michigan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors – Past Board Chair, PAC Board Member, Senior Advisor

Dan has been honored for his business and community leadership with many awards and recognitions, including the Community Leadership Award presented by Crime Stoppers of Michigan (2014); Corporate Hero Award presented by Michigan Youth Appreciation Foundation and Metro Youth Day (2015) and Michigan State University Executive MBA Alumni of the Decade Award (2015).

Prior to joining Franco, Dan was a member of Deloitte’s Private Company Advisory Service. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in accounting from Michigan State University and an Executive MBA from MSU’s Broad College of Business. He is a graduate of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit X and a graduate of the U.S. Army War College National Security Seminar.

Fun fact about Dan: he has his pilot’s license. He secured this accomplishment at the young age of 17 and completed his first solo flight in a fixed wing Cessna airplane when he was only 16. Dan has worked in downtown Detroit his entire career. He has lived in Northville most of his life, and his life motto is: “When deciding, choose the road less traveled.”