OUR VISION
To transform our world through the power of hospitality.
OUR MISSION
To create soulful experiences for every guest and every employee.
THE SPIRIT OF THE PULPO
At The Pulpo Group, our spirit animal is the octopus - a symbol of intelligence, creativity, intuition, adaptability, and emotional depth. These qualities mirror the essence of our work: delivering flavor and character beyond compare. Like the octopus, we thrive in complexity, blending resourcefulness and ingenuity to navigate challenges and create solutions. This shared spirit fuels our success, guiding us to excel and adapt in the ever-evolving currents of business.
OUR VALUES
EXCELLENCE
Our Commitment to Quality
LEADERSHIP
Our Commitment to Service
joy
Our Commitment to Each Other
BESA
Our Commitment to Hospitality
our leadership
SAVA FARAH
Founder & CEO
After 17 years of opening and operating culture-defining restaurants in the Ann Arbor area, restaurateur Sava Farah has established herself as one of the country’s foremost hospitality visionaries. Based on the foundation of her hallmark passion for quality, sustainability, and community engagement; Sava has built a restaurant and hospitality group that makes a deep impact on the food industry in the Great Lakes region and beyond.
Emigrating from communist Albania to the Bronx at five years old, Sava and her family made the daunting nighttime journey on foot, over the mountains to cross the Yugoslavian border. This journey instilled in her the profound belief that we all hold the power to create a better world for ourselves and what is seemingly impossible, can, in fact, be achieved. Guided by her deep cultural roots, Sava began her working journey at the early age of 13 and immediately connected to the transformational power of hospitality which lie at the heart of her heritage, her businesses, and her relentless entrepreneurial spirit.
Sava is a devoted wife and mother, a visionary leader, a writer, and a force in the industry. Her story serves as an inspiration for those who aspire to achieve their dreams through hard work, determination, and a strong sense of purpose.
JANELLE ZINI
COO & Managing Partner
Janelle’s story with hospitality began the moment she set foot in Ann Arbor in 2012. Initially drawn to the University of Michigan for her Master’s in Social Work, she never imagined that a part-time job serving and bartending at Sava’s would ignite a new passion entirely.
Taking a bold leap away from nonprofit work, she stepped into a management role at Sava’s, and over the next thirteen years her leadership and drive led her through every level of the company. In 2023, she was appointed C.O.O. and Managing Partner of TPG — a role that perfectly blends her heart for people with her talent for strategy and operational excellence.
Today, Janelle shapes the big-picture vision while staying grounded in the daily pulse of the business. Whether she’s mentoring emerging leaders, driving company growth, or fine-tuning systems & processes, her leadership reflects a deep respect for teamwork and a belief that great hospitality begins with passionately caring for those who make it happen.
KIM SMISCIK
Controller
Kim Smiscik’s journey in the hospitality industry began at just 14 years old, working as a busser. Her passion for the industry only grew from there. While working full-time across various restaurant roles, Kim put herself through college by attending night classes, demonstrating her dedication and perseverance.
Kim’s extensive experience spans the full spectrum of dining establishments—from fine dining to fast food. As the Controller for 62 Checkers/Rally’s locations in the South and later for renowned establishments like Big Daddy’s Parthenon, The Parthenon House, and the Little Daddy’s chain, she honed her expertise in both the operational and financial aspects of the business. After a brief foray into retail, Kim returned to her true calling in hospitality, bringing a wealth of knowledge with her.
Since joining The Pulpo Group in April 2019, Kim has overseen all accounting operations, including Profit and Loss statements and balance sheets. Her deep understanding of restaurant operations, from front-of-house to financial management, has been instrumental in streamlining accounting practices within the organization. A seasoned Controller, Kim brings a passion for hospitality that drives her daily work and commitment to excellence.
ADRIENNE BRADY
Director of Marketing
Adrienne is a passionate foodie whose journey from the biotech industry to hospitality brings a unique perspective to her work. After graduating from college in 2013, she launched her career in biotech but quickly realized her true passion was in food and storytelling. In 2018, she made a bold career shift, joining The Pulpo Group as a marketing coordinator and growing into a leadership role.
Today, Adrienne leads the Marketing department with a fresh, creative vision and a sharp eye for detail. She elevates TPG’s public image and champions its commitment to hospitality through a dynamic marketing strategy focused on public relations, social media, and community engagement. She has a deep understanding of the unique voice and character of each of TPG’s exceptional restaurants — Sava’s, Aventura, and The Dixboro Project — and brings each brand to life through a thoughtful and creative lens.
Adrienne also manages content creation, coordinates major events, and builds key partnerships that help position TPG as a leading destination in the hospitality space. Known for her exceptional project management skills and collaborative spirit, she brings energy, creativity, and focus to everything she touches — helping TPG connect meaningfully with guests, partners, and the wider community.
SEAN CRENNY
Director of Wine
With a deep passion for wine and hospitality, Sean Crenny has spent over a decade crafting dynamic and thoughtful wine programs in New York City and Michigan. Before relocating to Michigan in 2020, he refined his expertise as a sommelier at Per Se and TAK Room, both part of the acclaimed Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, where he developed a keen eye for precision in service, exceptional wine pairings, and world-class hospitality.
Prior to joining The Pulpo Group, Sean was most recently Beverage Director at Coeur in Ferndale, where his work earned widespread acclaim and national recognition for its thoughtful, boundary-pushing wine program. Before that, he served as Beverage Director at an ever-evolving pop-up space in Hazel Park, where he honed his ability to adapt, experiment, and curate unique guest experiences. Coincidentally, this space was just steps from the former location of The Crew, Sava’s first restaurant venture in Michigan.
As Director of Wine for The Pulpo Group, Sean leads the wine programs at The Dixboro Project, Sava’s, and Aventura, ensuring that each selection aligns with the restaurant’s unique identity while maintaining a cohesive vision across the group. His approach seamlessly blends innovation with tradition, with a strong emphasis on sustainability in the restaurant industry.
Passionate about making wine approachable, engaging, and memorable, Sean is dedicated to education, thoughtful pairings, and sharing the rich stories behind each bottle - transforming every glass into an memorable and joyful experience.
GORDON MAKIN
Human Resources & Operations Administrator
Gordon discovered his love for food and hospitality early on, growing up around the dinner table in a European household. He started his career in fast food as a teenager and worked his way up through both back- and front-of-house roles, eventually serving as General Manager at Sava’s.
Today, Gordon is the Human Resources & Operations Administrator for the Pulpo Group, where he thrives on building systems, supporting his team, and fostering meaningful connections with both staff and guests. A dedicated family man with two young children, he spends his free time with his fiancée, watching sports, and enjoying books, films, games, and all forms of art and media.
MEGAN KOTLYAR
Design Coordinator
A Michigan native, Megan began her hospitality career in Chicago after graduating from the University of Michigan’s Stamps School of Art & Design in 2021. There, she honed a deep appreciation for hospitality through design and marketing, opening restaurants across the country as the Creative Director for the group.
After four years in the Windy City, Megan returned to Ann Arbor to get married at The Dixboro Project in 2025 - where she fell in love with the warmth, care, and unmistakable hospitality of The Pulpo Group. Shortly after, the opportunity to join the team as Design Coordinator presented itself, bringing her personal journey beautifully full circle.
As Design Coordinator, Megan brings creativity and a thoughtful eye for detail to every touchpoint of the business from marketing and social media to menu development and the evolution of The Pulpo Group's physical spaces. Outside of work, she can often be found cooking for loved ones, flowing through a yoga class, or finding inspiration in the little details that make spaces feel like home.
LAURA WALLACE
Accounting Specialist
Laura Wallace is a restaurant industry veteran who rose from dishwasher to sales leader and entrepreneur after earning top honors in Hospitality & Tourism Management at Grand Valley State University. Laura is incredibly proud to work for a women-owned business, finding inspiration in TPG’s commitment to diversity and empowerment. She is motivated by leadership’s vision and dedication, which not only drive the company’s success but also pave the way for future generations of women entrepreneurs.
As an Accounting Specialist for TPG, Laura pairs hands-on restaurant experience with exceptional organizational rigor, using her deep industry knowledge to streamline vendor processes, improve financial controls, and strengthen partner relationships that drive business results.
SHELBY ROBINSON
Social Media &
Content Manager
Shelby’s journey in hospitality began at 17, working in restaurants and witnessing firsthand the power of food and care in bringing people together. After earning her BA in Creative Advertising from Michigan State University, she sought a new perspective and moved to South Korea to teach English, deepening her belief that food is a universal connector across people and places.
Returning home, Shelby built her career in marketing with various restaurant, beverage, and lifestyle brands, seamlessly marrying her love of storytelling and photography with hospitality. At The Pulpo Group, she brings a human-centered, visually-driven approach to her work.
As Social Media & Content Manager, Shelby leads photography, video, content strategy, and campaign development, transforming hospitality into storytelling that connects people beyond the table. Outside of work, you can find her with a film camera in hand, at a yoga class, or hosting intimate backyard dinners with friends.