Meet TFG

Tavi Fulkerson

Founder
Founded The Fulkerson Group in 1983

Tavi Fulkerson, the founder of The Fulkerson Group, is well recognized as a sponsorship sales expert with an extensive marketing and public relations background. Prior to moving to the Detroit area in 1991, Fulkerson owned a public relations firm for 10 years in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In the 1970s, Fulkerson hosted both a radio and television interview talk show and wrote a weekly newspaper column for the Ann Arbor News. Fulkerson is a communications graduate (B.A.) from the University of Michigan (1974). In 2008, Crain’s Detroit Business named Fulkerson a Power Seller of The Year. The publication recognized the top eight salespeople in the Detroit metropolitan area. Fulkerson was the only woman honored.

Sarah Swanson

Senior Account Director

Joined TFG: September 1998
Key Accounts: America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner White, the Detroit Jazz Festival presented by Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe and the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation

Sarah Swanson is a seasoned sponsorship sales professional working for more than 17 years in the industry. With extensive experience in customized sponsorship package development, activation campaigns and grant writing, Swanson’s favorite part of her job is creating marketing solutions for companies through event sponsorship. Swanson is excited about the revitalization of Detroit and believes that the events TFG represents help to highlight all of the positive aspects of the City. A proud mother of two sporty and spirited boys, Swanson spends most of her free time at athletic events.

Cyndy Doherty

Major Event Sponsorship Sales

Joined TFG: October 2010
Key Accounts: Detroit Auto Show, Henry Ford Health System’s EyesOn Design Awards at the Detroit Auto Show and EyesOn Design Automotive Design Exhibition

Cyndy Doherty came to The Fulkerson Group with broad leadership experience as a fund-raiser in area philanthropic events.   At TFG, she specializes in sponsorship sales for the North American International Auto Show and its technology showcase, AutoMobili-D.  She also manages the EyesOn Design account representing one of the region’s most prominent health systems: Henry Ford Health System.  Doherty holds a Masters’ Degree in Psychology from the University of Detroit.  When she is not attending the exciting major events represented by The Fulkerson Group, she enjoys international travel and dabbling in gourmet cooking with a focus on entertaining her friends and family.

Lauren Arnold

Project Manager

Joined TFG: October 2007
Key Accounts: Detroit Auto Show

Lauren Arnold came to The Fulkerson Group in October of 2007 after working for 21 years in the heating and cooling business. With her vast knowledge of how an office should be run Arnold was given the role of Office Manager with The Fulkerson Group. Arnold’s main client is the North American International Auto Show where she oversees all of the credentialing and ticketing for the sponsors. Arnold enjoys visiting different cities across Michigan and finding that special niche that each one has to offer. Arnold has an uncanny recall for numbers, which comes in very handy with running an office.

Octavian Gherasim

New Business Development

Joined TFG: November 2022
Key Accounts: Detroit Auto Show, Detroit Grand Prix

Octavian joined The Fulkerson Group with a passion for Business Development. His background in sales mixed with technology helps open doors for new partnerships targeting the NAIAS and the Detroit Grand Prix through extensive research. The support and extensive knowledge of the team at The Fulkerson Group is what Octavian thrives on. When he’s not working, he enjoys playing Tennis & Golf.

Mya Smith

Intern

Joined TFG: May 2023
Key Accounts: The Parade Company and the Detroit Jazz Festival

Interning with The Fulkerson Group, Mya Smith is a student at Wayne State University majoring in public relations with a minor in communications. Utilizing her innovative and business-oriented approach to solutions, Smith enhances the experience for our clients and sponsors. As a Detroit native she is invested in the renaissance of the city. In her free time, Smith enjoys going downtown and trying out the newest restaurants and activities Detroit has to offer.

Mike Marchand

Strategic Programming and Partnerships Consultant

Joined TFG: May 2024
Key Accounts: Detroit Auto Show, International Economic Development Council

Mike Marchand joined the Fulkerson Group after a 35-year career with Michelin where he was the Director of Partnerships, Sustainable Development & Mobility. He brings extensive experience in the automotive industry to understand the challenges and opportunities presented by the emergence of new technologies and business models, and the growing international demand for sustainable mobility solutions. Mike earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration degree in finance from the University of South Carolina.