Little Caesars Pizza, the global family-owned pizza chain, has named Erin Martin chief of staff. In the newly created role, Martin will act as strategic advisor to Little Caesars president and CEO Dave Scrivano and its leadership team. Martin has been with Little Caesars since 2007, previously serving as vice president, business support services and general counsel.

“This is an exciting time for Little Caesars, marked by continued growth domestically and internationally, as well as an ongoing focus on tech and innovation that allows us to provide best-in-class service and value,” Scrivano said. “Erin’s extensive knowledge and experience in employment and franchise law, as well as her ability to successfully manage various departments within Little Caesars, will help us build on our incredible momentum.”

As the vice president, business support services and general counsel, Martin led the legal and business support teams, including real estate, construction, U.S. development, training and communications. Under her leadership, she provided counsel during several key initiatives for Little Caesars, including the chain’s new world headquarters expansion in downtown Detroit, and several projects designed to advance the company’s interests in the areas of diversity, government relations and corporate growth. Martin also supported the legal needs of several other businesses within the Ilitch Family of Companies, including Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, Champion Foods and the Little Caesars Fundraising Pizza Kit program.

“I care deeply about Little Caesars and am honored to take on this new role to help guide the strategic direction of the business and closely support Dave,” Martin said. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside my talented colleagues to achieve unprecedented success for the company in areas such as growth, expansion, innovation and service.”

Martin has more than 20 years of experience in corporate and franchise law. Before joining Little Caesars, she was an attorney at Bodman PLC.

A Michigan native, Martin earned a B.A. in political science from Michigan State University in 1997, a J.D. from Detroit’s Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Michigan bar in 2001. She resides in Grosse Pointe, Mich. with her family.

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As the new vice president of information security, Afia Phillips handles cyber security for all business units throughout the Ilitch companies, from box office ticket sales to network-connected screens at venues and beyond. With a strong background composed of 20 years’ experience working in multiple sectors, Afia offers a strong foundation for the companies in a world increasingly reliant on IT.

After she earned her Bachelor of Arts in computer science from Wayne State University, Afia started working as a network administrator for the City of Detroit, where she applied and broadened her general IT knowledge. From there, she sharpened her focus to cyber security. She began consulting at KPMG before working at Daimler, where she was promoted several times in 11 years.

Afia also works hard to promote diversity in the male-dominated field. In her spare time, she mentors younger family members to help them with life skills and preparation for higher education. Her passion for uplifting those like her inspired her to create Girls Get IT, her “prized possession,” a program which seeks to close the gender gap in the field. “Knowing that we could make a positive difference and help students be confident, intelligent future leaders in IT was amazing and very rewarding. Impacting the younger generation is near and dear to me,” she said.

Additionally, Afia is also a member of the Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation and a former co-chair for the Professional Membership Services Committee of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). Additionally, she served as Audit Committee Member for the St. John Providence Health System. In 2019, she received a Crain’s honor for Notable Women in STEM.

Afia said that her short time at Little Caesars has exceeded her expectations. “Whenever I meet with people, they understand the importance of information security and want to know how we can make things better. Having that support is invaluable.”

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Olympia Development of Michigan welcomes Warner Norcross + Judd LLP to The District Detroit with the opening of their new Detroit office at 2715 Woodward Ave. Warner is the first tenant to occupy the state-of-the-art new-construction building located between Little Caesars Arena and the Mike Ilitch School of Business. Boston Consulting Group will also move into the new facility later this year.

Warner plans to move up to 60 attorneys and staff into the building when in-person office workplace restrictions are lifted and it can safely do so. The firm continues to comply with COVID-19 workplace safety rules and regulations.

“Although this is our first Detroit address, Warner has been active in Southeast Michigan for nearly 25 years,” said Linda Paullin-Hebden, executive partner of the Detroit office. “This new Detroit office is the culmination of this history and is a catapult to our future, allowing us to continue serving clients with premiere legal services in an engaging, welcoming environment.”

The sole tenant of the building’s third floor, Warner’s office features a lounge overlooking Woodward Avenue, amazing downtown skyline views, a 40-seat cafe and a media center.

“The striking five-story, $70-million building offers 127,000 square feet of business and retail space that further enlivens The District Detroit,” Keith Bradford, senior vice president, Olympia Development of Michigan, said. “With these types of developments, The District Detroit will continue to attract world-class companies, address market demands and bring new jobs, opportunities and vitality to our city.”

The advanced design of 2715 Woodward offers tenants access to an abundance of natural light with floor to ceiling glass, enhanced light quality features and sound attenuation which encourages collaboration and improves the ability to focus. It was also engineered with state-of-the-art indoor air-quality systems, allowing for 50 percent more fresh-air circulation than standard systems, as well as enhanced air/particle filtration.

“This building is a timely delivery to the market and exactly what people need and expect in today’s workplace. We have designed for flexibility and inspiration in an environment that moves us in the direction of health and well-being,” Stefan Stration, vice president of development for Olympia Development of Michigan, said.

2715 Woodward joins other recent Olympia Development projects such as the Little Caesars world headquarters building and Little Caesars Arena, and other projects expected to be completed this year such as the historic restoration of the former Eddystone Hotel into residential apartments and retail, as well as the historic restoration of the former Women’s City Club into office and retail.

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Baseball’s back — and so are the fans! Comerica Park welcomed just over 8,000 fans for Opening Day on Thursday, April 1. Hear from some of the attendees on what made them feel comfortable returning to the ballpark for the 2021 season:

For everyone’s safety, please remember this season’s safety measures:

• All attendees must complete a Gameday Wellness survey within 24 hours of entering Comerica Park.
• Only medical and diaper bags are permitted inside the park.
• Fans will be seated in pods with at least six feet of physical distance between other groups.
• Facemasks are required, except when actively eating or drinking at your assigned seat.
• Only cashless payment methods are accepted at points of sale.
• Fans must download their mobile ticket using the MLB app before arriving.

Learn more about the new health and safety measures at Comerica Park at MLB.com/Tigers.

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Elyssa Biederman, a 16-year-old forward from Franklin, Mich., and in her fourth year with Little Caesars AAA hockey program, recently scored a goal which has spread across social media and made it to the No. 2 spot on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays of the Day.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/527457034

Elyssa says that she did not expect footage of her recent goal, which was shot by her mother in the stands, to spread like it did.

After previously playing in boy’s hockey programs, Elyssa joined Little Caesars AAA, which is one of just four Tier 1 girls’ hockey programs in Michigan.  “AAA hockey, especially with Little Caesars, has very good resources,” Elyssa said. “They provide a lot for us — the rink downtown, great coaches. It’s all-around a great organization.”

In addition to scoring goals, Elyssa helps others in need.  She recently participated in a Little Caesars Pizza Kit virtual fundraiser to help cover the cost of equipment for players whose families might otherwise be struggling.

Elyssa plans to attend Colgate University, one of six on her team to commit to a college so far. With state and national tournaments on the horizon, Elyssa says she’s focused on enjoying her time with her teammates, who’ve decided to stick together for 19U. “We have such a good group of girls,” she said. “They’re my best friends forever.”

Learn more about the premier Little Caesars AAA girls’ hockey program and how it supports young athletes at LittleCaesarsHockey.com.

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The Detroit Tigers have partnered with Kroger to donate over 41,000 meals to Forgotten Harvest’s Detroit Summer Lunch Program, a program which provides nourishment for at-risk kids who’ve lost access to school meals during the summer.

Formed in 1990, Forgotten Harvest helps metro Detroit families who struggle with the cost of basic life necessities. By rescuing food surpluses from grocery stores, markets, restaurants, caterers and more, Forgotten Harvest helps bridge the income gap for thousands of families in need.

On Opening Day, the Detroit Tigers and Kroger are donating to the Summer League Program 41,083 nutritious lunches, one lunch for every seat at Comerica Park. The meals will support more than 1,000 children throughout metro Detroit.

Last year, the Ilitch companies donated to Forgotten Harvest 6,500 lbs. of food from Little Caesars Arena and 23 pallets of food from MotorCity Hotel, all to support Detroiters in need impacted by the pandemic.

To learn more about Forgotten Harvest and how you can help, visit ForgottenHarvest.org.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Detroit Tigers connected with local female photographers to highlight their work through #WallpaperWednesday. Fans can view and download images from these posts to use as digital wallpaper. Learn more about these inspiring women below.

Courtney Welch

Courtney has been capturing moments as a social media and communications manager for FOX Sports Detroit since 2012. Her photography is a blend of production shoots with professional Detroit athletes, special events, game coverage and behind-the-scenes moments, including fans and broadcasters. She loves the creative process and the way photos connect us. Courtney’s passion for photography goes beyond the sports world into nature, where her photos freeze a moment in time to tell a story and invoke a feeling.

Allison Farrand

Allison, a photojournalist and photographer based in Detroit, got her start in sports photography at The Michigan Daily, the University of Michigan’s student newspaper. She came to love the challenge and adrenaline of covering live sports, and first came to baseball photography as an intern for Cleveland in 2017. Allison considers herself lucky to spend springs in Lakeland, Fla. and summer nights at Comerica Park.  

Monica Bradburn

Monica is a live content creator for Major League Baseball. A native Michigander, she’s ecstatic to work for her home team and call Comerica Park her office. She graduated from Central Michigan University, majoring in photojournalism. She loves to photograph the action, special achievements and personalities of the athletes. “Intensity, hard work, drive and passion are words I would use to describe sports,” she says. “I’d also use those same words to describe my journey as a sports photographer.” Her advice to young women who choose creative careers: set goals, push limits and follow your dreams. “The dream may be challenging, but it’ll always be worthwhile.”

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This Women’s History Month, the Detroit Red Wings, in partnership with Comerica Bank, recognized and celebrated women in our community making a positive impact on the lives of young Detroiters in the areas of youth sports, education, and wellness.

Each honoree will be celebrated at Little Caesars Arena during the March 27 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets as well as having received a $1,000 grant dedicated to the charity of their choice from the Red Wings.

Manon Rhéaume — Little Caesars AAA Girls Program Coordinator

Manon is the Girls Program Coordinator for the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club and an ambassador for growing the game and inspiring female athletes across the world.

In 1992, and as goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Manon made history as the first and only female to play in one of the four major North American sports. She was also the first female to sign a contract to play professional hockey and had a six-year professional career in the minor leagues.

As a member of Team Canada, Manon also helped lead her team to two gold medals at the World Championship and a Silver Medal at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano – the first year women’s hockey was an official Olympics sport.

Courtney Smith — Founder and CEO, Detroit Phoenix Center

Courtney is the founder & CEO of the Detroit Phoenix Center, a high-impact nonprofit organization that provides critical resources, support, and a safe, nurturing environment for street connected children and youth. She was recently recognized by the Biden Administration for being a drum major for service and  has been dubbed a “modern-day history maker” by Essence Magazine.

An award-winning, social entrepreneur, Courtney has over a decade of experience as a social impact leader. Throughout her career in the nonprofit sector, she has served in numerous capacities, with a special emphasis on youth development. Courtney is a sought-after speaker who has traveled overseas to advocate for children’s and women’s rights. She is also a member of the Women’s Advisory Committee for Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence of Michigan’s 14th Congressional District, a board member for Hero Nation, was recently appointed to the Belle Isle Conservancy Community Engagement Committee and the THAW Power Forward Council.

Pamela Good — Co-Founder and CEO, Beyond Basics

Pamela is cofounder and CEO of Beyond Basics, a nonprofit dedicated to one-on-one reading intervention and holistic literacy enrichment programs for students and families in Metropolitan Detroit.

Beyond Basics is currently providing services to students attending 23 different school locations in Detroit, Taylor and Pontiac with the goal to bring the students they serve to grade level, proficient literacy.

Thus far, the organization has touched the lives of 90,000 children, published 75,000 student-written books, and was able to pivot to a virtual platform immediately after the on-set of COVID in March 2020.  

Amy Good — CEO, Alternatives For Girls

Amy has served as Alternatives For Girls’ CEO since 1988. Under her leadership, AFG has grown from a volunteer-led project to a full-service agency serving homeless and high-risk girls and young women, along with their families, through street outreach, emergency shelter, transition to independent living, and prevention services.

Because of her over 38 years in managing and directing human services programs for Detroit children and families, Amy has received numerous awards, including Oprah Winfrey’s “Use Your Life” award (accompanied by $100,000 for AFG’s capital campaign); the United Way Community Services “Executive Director of the Year” award; Leadership Detroit’s “Leadership Challenge” award; the National Council of Jewish Women Josephine S. Weiner Award for Community Service; and the University of Michigan School of Social Work Distinguished Alumni award in 2014.  In 2017, Alternatives For Girls was recognized by Crain’s as the “Best Managed Non-Profit.”

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MotorCity Casino Hotel has promoted John Policicchio, previously senior vice president of marketing, to general manager. In his new role, Policicchio will oversee casino and hotel operations, including gaming, hospitality, marketing, workforce management, human resources and information technology. He will also oversee the exploration of new growth opportunities.

Policicchio has held numerous marketing positions at MotorCity for more than a decade. He played a significant role in developing and implementing programs to enhance guest experience, including the popular Club Metro player loyalty program, the MYMotorCity app and the recent opening of the FanDuel Sportsbook at MotorCity Casino. He’s also overseen all marketing strategy and brand development, and has been integral in the execution of business development projects and partnerships.

“John has helped create unique and exciting offers and experiences for our MotorCity Casino guests,” Bruce Dall, president of MotorCity Casino Hotel, said. “With John’s background, talent and enthusiasm, and with his ability to develop strong business strategies, we will continue to innovate and provide our guests with the very best in high-energy gaming, dining and hospitality.”

A metro Detroit area native, Policicchio is a graduate of University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics.

“This is an exciting time in the casino industry,” said Policicchio. “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our world-class employees, we have a very bright future at MotorCity Casino Hotel. I am grateful to have been a part of this team for the past 11 years and look forward to continuing to deliver best in class experiences to our guests.”

MotorCity Casino Hotel recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary with more than 400 original employees still part of the team. Today, more than half of the casino’s employees are Detroit residents. It remains the city’s only locally owned and operated casino, home to world-class luxury hotel accommodations, spa facilities, fine dining, live performance venues, and high-energy gaming.

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