Sava Farah
FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
& MANAGING PARTNER
Janelle moved to Ann Arbor in 2012 to pursue her Master’s in Social Work at the University of Michigan. While studying, she worked as a server and bartender at our flagship restaurant, Sava’s, where she quickly fell in love with the vibrant culture and energy of the hospitality industry. Inspired to make a full transition from nonprofit work, she took a leap of faith and became a Manager at Sava’s. Over the past twelve years, Janelle has excelled in various roles, including General Manager, HR Director, and Chief of Staff. In 2023, she was appointed Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner of The Pulpo Group, showcasing her unwavering commitment to our team and the meaningful work we do.
As COO, Janelle offers strategic leadership and direction, overseeing operational and managerial procedures to boost efficiency and drive growth. She excels in managing daily operations while fostering a positive company culture through impactful HR initiatives and talent development. Janelle collaborates closely with the executive team to achieve our company goals, setting realistic growth targets and implementing effective measurement tools. By motivating employees at all levels, she ensures alignment with our values and strategic objectives, making her an essential pillar of the TPG team.
Hans Lüttmann
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Recognized as a results-oriented culture builder and creative leader, Hans has led hospitality groups and restaurant teams in New York and Los Angeles. During his six-year tenure at Rossoblu in Los Angeles, his passion and creativity as Managing Partner catalyzed the group’s innovative restaurant culture—a culture rooted in core values, employee development, and authentic hospitality. He has also worked in the San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Miami markets. He's been blessed to work with great chefs, inspired thought leaders, and has been part of multiple Michelin starred restaurant programs.
Hans recently relocated from NY/LA to join The Pulpo Group where he serves as Business Development Director. In this role, Hans draws on his thirty years of hospitality experience to thoughtfully and intentionally enhance TPG’s success in Ann Arbor. He personally maintains the highest standards to ensure success and is grounded by his innate sense of genuine hospitality.
Linda Moore
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
Linda brings a wealth of expertise to The Pulpo Group as a seasoned leader in Human Resources, organizational development, and strategic planning. With extensive experience in both non-profit and for-profit sectors, she has successfully led corporate and field operations. Linda excels at aligning HR practices with business objectives, tackling complex HR challenges, and nurturing an inclusive, productive work environment. Her collaborative approach enables her to engage with all levels of the organization, delivering comprehensive and sustainable solutions.
As the Director of Human Resources, Linda oversees the HR function, ensuring that strategies reflect the company's core values and business needs. Her key responsibilities include talent acquisition, training and development, performance management, and employee relations and engagement.
Linda is enthusiastic about her role at TPG, where her expertise and innovative mindset are both valued and leveraged.
Adrienne Brady
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Adrienne is a passionate foodie with a unique journey from the biotech industry to the world of hospitality. After graduating from college in 2013, she initially started her career in biotech but soon realized her true passion lay elsewhere. Her love for cooking and food photography inspired her to make a bold career shift, joining The Pulpo Group in 2018 as a marketing coordinator, later becoming a manager.
After taking time off to raise her two children, Adrienne has returned with fresh energy to lead the Marketing department. With her blend of organization and creativity, she inspires our team to reach new heights.
Adrienne elevates our public image and promotes our hospitality ethos through a robust marketing strategy that emphasizes public relations, social media, and community engagement. She manages content creation, coordinates major events, and builds partnerships to position TPG as a leading destination. Renowned for her exceptional project management skills, she maintains consistent messaging while driving innovative campaigns. Her business savvy and collaborative spirit are key to shaping TPG’s impact in the hospitality industry.
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.
Sophia Gojcaj
HR ADMINISTRATOR
Sophia Gojcaj is the Human Resources Manager of The Pulpo Group, in which capacity she oversees the lifecycle of all employees, payroll, worker's compensation, benefits administration and assisting in standardizing processes throughout the teams.
Sophia joined our team back in June of 2021 with very little experience in the hospitality industry being her first job was working as support staff back in high school. However, growing up in an Albanian household, Sophia is no stranger to hospitality as it is a cornerstone of Albanian culture. Hospitality is our industry but it is also a value at The Pulpo Group and a big influence in how Sophia leads each day, assisting and being a human resource to all employees at The Pulpo Group.
