Thomas Salvati, CIC, CPIA, CPRM
Thomas (“Tommy”) Salvati is the President and Founder of The Salvati Insurance Group, Inc., a people-first, community-rooted insurance agency built on doing the right thing, treating people like family, and protecting what matters most. Since opening the agency in 2010, Tommy has led with heart, purpose, and a relentless commitment to service — creating a culture where clients feel understood, and team members feel supported.
Before founding the agency, Tommy earned degrees from Oakland Community College and Oakland University. He then spent years in the hospitality and gaming industries, mastering customer experience, player development, and high-energy service environments. Those years shaped his signature style — warm, personable, fun, and relentlessly focused on making people feel taken care of. That same mentality fuels the culture at TSiG today.
A second-generation Italian American and fluent Italian speaker, Tommy’s roots run deep in Metro Detroit’s Italian community. He serves as Vice President of the Italian American Cultural Society, a Director of the Federation of Abruzzo (FADM), and an at-large board member for Big I Michigan. Community, culture, and giving back aren’t side projects — they’re woven into everything he does.
Professionally, Tommy holds three national insurance designations — Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA), and Certified Personal Risk Manager (CPRM). His expertise spans commercial insurance, group benefits, workers’ compensation, surety bonding, and personal risk management for affluent families. He and his team are known for tailoring protection plans that bring peace of mind, clarity, and real security to the people and businesses they serve.
But Tommy’s approach is different from most. He believes insurance isn’t about policies — it’s about people. It’s about protecting families, preserving legacy, and doing right by clients even when no one is looking. He leads with heart and expects the same from his team.
At home, Tommy and his wife Lisa — the heart and soul of their world — live in Washington Township with their blended “Brady Bunch” of seven children: Anthony, Alina, Andrew, Tyler, Betty, and their niece and nephew, Warren and Ellie, whom they have proudly helped care for since their mother’s passing. Family is the foundation for everything Tommy builds, and the reason he works tirelessly to create a life filled with love, stability, and legacy.
For Tommy, the mission is simple:
Be good humans. Do the right thing. Protect people like family. And build a community and career that his children will be proud of. – “We just happen to sell insurance.”
Amit Jain
Amit Jain is the Chief Administrative Officer at The Salvati Insurance Group and joined the team in the summer of 2022. Amit has over 20 years of automotive engineering experience and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Amit is thrilled to use his experience in engineering to bring a fresh perspective to the team. As the CAO, Amit oversees and manages all of the day-to-day operations. He ensures everyone has what they need for success and loves making everyone he works with feel like they are family.
Amit’s favorite thing about working at The Salvati Group is being in a position to serve not just his coworkers and clients but the community as well. Amit lives in the Metro Detroit area with his wife and two children. When he’s not busy taking care of business at TSiG, he is a fitness enthusiast and enjoys Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Rick Fornasiero
Retired 2025
Rick Fornasiero is the founder of Millennium Insurance and Investment Group, which became part of The Salvati Insurance Group in 2022. Now a producer at The Salvati Insurance Group, Rick is also a Certified Financial Planner with a Bachelor of Arts. He works with existing and prospective clients to uncover the best companies and products to protect themselves.
Rick has been in the industry for over 40 years and has worked in several areas of insurance. His experience includes personal and commercial property and casualty, health, life, investments, and planning. Rick takes a consultative approach with his clients, listening to their needs and goals to develop tailored solutions.
He lives in Macomb Township with his wife and son and is active in a local golf league. When Rick isn’t working with clients or on the course, he also enjoys tennis, biking, music, and traveling.
Vinny Fontana, CAWC
Vincenzo Fontana heads up our hospitality and entertainment practice at TSIG. Vinny is Customer focused and eager to assist you with all of your insurnace needs. A proud first-generation Italian American who is fluent in Italian. Vinny is a graduate of both Macomb Community College and Ferris State University.
Vinny’s path to insurance started with over 15 years working in the construction industry and his firsthand experiences help better understand the nuances of operating a firm and to connect with clients at a peer level. Vinny has extensive experience in the hospitality industry gained from over 26 years as an owner, people leader, and employee at all levels of bar and restaurant operation. Vinny also brings unique experience in multimedia to TSIG from his decade as an advertising director and regional sales director with two large media conglomerates.
Vinny and his family are based out of Macomb County and you can generally find him and his wife at one of his daughter’s soccer games around southeast Michigan or even as far away as Disney’s Wide World of Sports for national tournaments. Vinny is a member of the Italian American Cultural Society, the Michigan Professional Insurance Agents association, and the Michigan Association of Independent Agents.
Alysia Ritter
Life / Health / Medicare Specialist
Alysia is part of the Health & Benefits Team at Salvati’s and specializes in Medicare and Health Insurance. Alysia grew up in Clinton Township and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Wellness from Oakland University and a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from CMU. Her career in Corporate Wellness gave her the opportunity to work with a diverse population in the automotive and manufacturing industry in Metro Detroit. In 2018, she pursued a license in financial services with a focus on financial health. Using her past experience as a wellness coach she helps to educate and guide her clients through their health care choices particularly, Medicare.
She takes a consultative approach when reviewing a client’s healthcare needs and believes in being informed on one’s health care choices. It is important to be your own healthcare advocate. When she isn’t assisting clients, you will find her enjoying the outdoors with friends and family; camping, golfing, and watching her daughters participate in sports and hobbies. She appreciates community involvement and has volunteered with many organizations and health coalitions within the Detroit area over the years.
Mark Pitchford
In-House Attorney & Risk Advisor
Mark Pitchford is a key component of our risk management team. Mark’s educational background is as diverse as it is impressive, holding a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from Lawrence Technological University, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Juris Doctor (JD) from Wayne State University. This combination of legal, engineering, and business knowledge along with over 35 years of insurance and risk management experience industry uniquely positions Mark to craft and implement risk management strategies that epitomize our core value of “Does What It Takes.”
Mark’s approach to risk management is deeply informed by his comprehensive education, allowing him to untangle complex legal landscapes and convert them into straightforward pathways for our clients. He helps ensures our policies follow the best industry practices, exemplifying our commitment to “Do The Right Thing” legally. Mark’s expertise shines in high-stakes industries such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation, where he can help identify and mitigates potential legal issues, embodying our ethos of being “Humbly Confident.”
His dedication to “Build Comradery” is evident in his unwavering support for clients and colleagues, fostering a culture of mutual respect and shared objectives. Mark is always available to lend his expertise or advice, ensuring that “Customer Service Focused” remains at the heart of our daily operations.
At The Salvati Insurance Group, Inc., Mark Pitchford stands as a testament to our “Have Fun!” philosophy, infusing the often understated area of risk management with enthusiasm and insight.
With Mark’s leadership and our team’s dedication, we continue to navigate the complex world of risk management with confidence and foresight. Our promise, rooted in the TSiG Way, is to offer our clients a partnership that anticipates and prepares for the unknown, leveraging Mark’s unique educational foundation to our collective advantage.
Damien Sczepaniak
Damien Sczepaniak is The Salvati Insurance Groups Health Benefits Specialist and has nearly two decades of experience in the insurance industry. Damien holds Life and Health certifications, is a licensed Medicare agent and specializes in voluntary benefit options. Damien is honored to offer top-notch service to his clients and loves the lifelong relationships he forms. He uses his own personal experience with an unexpected accident to raise awareness and educate his clients on the importance of being adequately insured.
Damien loves knowing that he can ease the financial burdens medical situations can create. He’s proud to be a coach for the Anchor Bay Buccaneers Football organization. He’s been a Macomb County resident for over 20 years and lives with his wife and two children. As an avid boating enthusiast, he spends most of his summers at Lake St. Clair on his boat.
Ava Vushaj
Personal & Commercial Lines Insurance Producer
Ava Vushaj is a licensed insurance producer at The Salvati Insurance Group, specializing in personal lines coverage. She is committed to delivering tailored insurance solutions that simplify the complexities of coverage and provide clients with peace of mind.
Ava earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Michigan State University in 2023. Growing up in Metro Detroit, she possesses a deep understanding of the local community’s unique needs, allowing her to connect with clients on a personal level and offer customized insurance strategies.
In her role at The Salvati Insurance Group, Ava focuses on helping individuals and families navigate the often overwhelming world of insurance. Her consultative approach involves thoroughly assessing each client’s specific circumstances and providing clear, comprehensive coverage options that align with their goals. By demystifying insurance complexities, she aims to make the experience easy and stress-free for all her clients.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Ava is a certified yoga and Pilates instructor. Her passion for wellness complements her commitment to helping others, both in their physical well-being and financial security. When she’s not assisting clients or leading fitness classes, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, embracing the vibrant culture of Metro Detroit.
Ava’s dedication to her clients, combined with her holistic approach to well-being, makes her a valuable asset to The Salvati Insurance Group and the communities she serves.