Mat Dunaskiss

Founding Partner/CEO
Contact: mat@dunaskiss.biz
Specialties: Communication, connections, and lobbying
Education: Bachelors in Education, University of Michigan & Masters in Education, University of Michigan

Dunaskiss Consulting & Development Inc. (DCD) was founded by former Michigan State Senator and Representative, Mat Dunaskiss. Mat has 35 years of experience with Michigan State Government. He served as a State Representative from 1981 to 1990 and served in the Michigan State Senate from 1991 to 2002. During his term as Senator he was the Chairman of the Technology and Energy Committee and authored the first bill to deregulate the telecommunications industry. During Mat’s term in the House he served as Minority Chair of Health Policy.

Throughout his tenure in the Capitol, Mat served on the leadership team for his caucus and was instrumental in policy decisions. He has developed close working relations with members of the legislature and executive offices. His extensive knowledge of the legislature, the political process, and his network of contacts make him and his firm a highly effective presence in Lansing and Washington DC!

Diane Dunaskiss

Administrative Advisor
Contact: ddunaskiss@gmail.com
Specialties: Education, Special Education, and Education Administration
Education: BS, Elementary Education & Education Administration Certificate (Wayne State University)
Diane Dunaskiss, just completed her third term on Wayne State University Board of Governors. She was the only Republican to win three statewide elections for the Wayne State Board. Diane earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and her Education Administration Certification at Wayne State. Because she believes in giving back, she sought to serve on the board of her alma mater.

During her tenure, Diane was instrumental in supporting strategies to increase graduation rates, for which Wayne has received national recognition. She opposed the adoption of an unprecedented eight year union contract that was negotiated to avoid the Right to Work act passed by the legislature in 2013. During the last three years there has been a successful effort to remove unproductive faculty and put in place measures for increased accountability. Last year, Wayne engaged in a major public-private sector partnership for the management of on campus housing.

Diane was a special education teacher and an administrator for Lake Orion Community Schools. She brings her education expertise to her role as chair of the Academic Affairs Committee. Her experience as a small business owner gives her the perspective of the private sector when addressing the financial issues facing the university. Diane feels that as an educator, a woman, and a conservative, she provides a valuable and unique perspective as the Board attempts to find solutions to the complex problems facing higher education and maintain educational excellence. Diane belongs to the Greater Oakland Republican Club (GO-GOP), serves as Trustee and Vice President for the Lake Orion Education Foundation and is the immediate past president of the Lake Orion Rotary Club.

Diane and her husband, former state senator Mat Dunaskiss, reside in Lake Orion. They have three children and four grandchildren.

Justin Dunaskiss

Justin Dunaskiss is Partner and Chief Operating Officer at Dunaskiss Consulting & Development (DCD), a full-service, multi-client governmental affairs, lobbying, and consulting organization. A graduate of Michigan State University, Justin holds dual degrees in Business Management and Political Science. Before joining DCD, Justin was a commercial real estate executive with vast knowledge of planning and zoning. He also spent five years working for a multi-national corporation, where he grew their market share in six key markets for five years running.

Since the 2013-2014 Michigan legislative session, Justin and his firm have been at the forefront of medical cannabis policy in the State of Michigan. Justin and his firm have true passion and erudition about the MMFLA and look forward to transitioning that same energy into the newly recognized recreational marihuana market.

In addition to his work with legislators, regulators, and stakeholders in the drafting and passage of policy, Justin also serves as Chairman of the Orion Township Planning Commission, where he puts his impressive leadership skill set to work for the betterment of his community.
Justin and his wife, Elisa, reside in Lake Orion where they are raising their two children, Lyla and Grayson.

Jenn Zielinski

Business Development Officer
Contact: jenn@dunaskiss.biz
Specialties: Organizational skills and networking, fulfillment and distribution management, information technologies business liaison, and customer service specialist
Education: Oakland Community College
Jenn Zielinski is an integral part of the DCD organization, bringing 20+ years of corporate experience to our flourishing firm. She has been instrumental in developing and implementing internal procedures and streamlining processes. In addition to her organizational skills, she is invaluable when it comes to networking, communicating and corresponding with political figureheads, clients, and the DCD team. Her leadership and positive attitude has been and continues to be a driving force for the DCD team.

Lisa Hutchison

Clients Relations Manager
Contact: lisa@dunaskiss.biz
Specialties: Organizational Skills
Education: Johnson and Wales University
Lisa Hutchison has lived in Lake Orion for 25 years where she raised 3 children and was very involved in the school system where her children attended. From fundraising, to organizing school functions, Lisa continued her involvement by assisting with local bonds and election campaigns. After helping her husband to grow his business, she began working at DCD and used her organizational skills to fill a multi-faceted administrative role.

Jamie Webb

Associate Lobbyist
Contact: jamie@dunaskiss.biz
Specialties: Small business, graphic design, cannabis policy, and health policy
Education: Associates Degree in Liberal Art, Oakland Community College
Jamie is a small business owner and artist from Lake Orion, Michigan. She specializes in marketing, electronic communications, research social media, and graphic design.

Erin Lammers

Client Relations Manager
Contact: erin@dunaskiss.biz
Specialties: Organizational, writing, and customer service skills
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Arts & Humanities (Michigan State University) & Bachelor of Arts, History (Michigan State University)

Erin Lammers is a recent graduate who occupies a versatile role investigating markets, managing client updates, and evaluating facility applications at the state and local levels. She loves discussing social justice issues and visiting museums – her dream is to help incorporate marginalized narratives into public spaces through educational outreach. She was drawn to DCD for its legacy of passionate health advocacy and grassroots economic development on behalf of under-resourced populations. Her love of reading historical analyses and attending poetry slams is eclipsed only by thrift shopping

Jacob German

Jake is an experienced political consultant and lobbyist with a demonstrated history of success working in the government relations industry. Skilled in legislative analysis, sales, writing, and public policy, Jake focuses primarily on Health Policy, Cannabis Policy, Insurance, Regulatory Reform, Local Government, and Association Management.

Jake has successfully organized and built many coalition partnerships in the auto no fault field and currently serves as the Executive Director of CAPP, the Concerned Association of Patients and Providers, and represents the Michigan Association of Home Inspectors.  Jake volunteers his time on various Boards.

Jake is responsible for diverse client outreach and communications. He serves as an effective liaison between clients/businesses and local, state, and federal governments. He is skilled in developing long-running, deep client relationships, counseling senior executives on complex and/or sensitive media issues, legislation, public policy, and policy advocacy.

Jake is a proven and effective leader who is able to influence planning, development, and implementation of specialized legislative and external projects through a vast communication network of key contacts, community leaders, elected-local and state officials, and organizations.

Jake is a 2004 graduate of Hillsdale College.

When he is not working Jake enjoys playing golf, spending time with his family, reading, and wine.  He has lived in Birmingham, Michigan for 17 years and serves his local community as a member of the Birmingham Historic District Study Committee and has been a past candidate for Birmingham City Commissioner.

Chelsea Oliver

Compliance Specialist
Bio: Chelsea Oliver holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in Public Relations and specializes in compliance, management, client relationships, and community outreach. Working as our Compliance Specialist, Chelsea brings with her nearly ten years of experience in managing dispensaries and provisioning centers in both Michigan and Colorado. Prior to joining Dunaskiss Consulting & Development, Chelsea worked for an award-winning dispensary in Colorado. During her free time, Chelsea enjoys camping, hiking, snowboarding, and traveling.

Helen Rentschler

Office Manager/Administrative Assistant
Bio: Helen Rentschler brings over 20 years of Administrative experience to our firm. She is a capable, determined, confident and well-organized person, with extensive experience in supporting mid and senior-level managers. A highly approachable individual who has a pleasant attitude and a willingness to make a positive mark. During Helen’s free time she enjoys time with her family and friends, reading and walking.

Amy Clark

Associate
Bio: Amy Clark has 18 years’ experience working with state and local government, specializing in municipal communication and facility applications at both the state and local level. Amy is a legal assistant, researcher and a member of the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Amy is a resident of Oxford and a secret, not so secret baker that does occasional catering events. She is known for her love of debate, cats, coffee and gardening.

Mary Drabik

Mary Drabik is a graduate from Oakland University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. Throughout her time at OU, she was politically active for the silent grouping of college students that identify as Republicans. Additionally, she also volunteered for many campaigns and causes in the Oakland and Macomb County area. As a precinct delegate, she understands local and state political realms and policies.

Mary is an Associate, researching policies that impact citizens on the local and statewide levels, and facilitating communication across the public and private sector. She loves to travel, and likes cooking. Her favorite dish to make fresh pasta, using her grandmother’s hand-crank pasta machine. .