Beyond the Bio – Meet Tony Des Chenes

Mar 4, 2026

by Liz Gullett

As MLC’s Communications and Social Media Manager, Liz Gullett keeps clients informed and up-to-date on the goings on in Lansing and the Capitol.

MLC partner Tony has been part of our firm for 14 years. Click here to read their full bio and get to know them better!

    • What did you want to be when you were a kid? 
      • An airline pilot, starting with my first trip at age ten. For my 50th birthday, I flew in a glider over my hometown.
    • What is your favorite activity to unwind from work? 
      • I unwind before work by swimming at least three days a week in the morning.
    • If you were to give a TED Talk, what would it be on and why? 
      • On why we need to manage technology. Technology is amazing and helpful, but we need to develop breaks from it.
    • Who are three people, living or past, that you would most want to have dinner with? 
      • George Washington. I recently watched a documentary on the Revolution; Washington went through many trials and challenges.  For all of his success, he also experienced failure and still helped create the nation we have today.
      • Winston Churchill, whose perspective on the world would be amazing considering what he had seen and lived through.
      • My father, who passed away before he could see my children graduate from high school and college. I would like to share with him the amazing people they have become and the partners they have in their lives today that are continuing to make my life even more rewarding. I’d also like to share how he influenced them and the people they’ve become.
    • What skills are most important in your role?
      • Listening. Hearing the other perspective and truly listening can help your own position, and it can also help you gain confidence with the person you are engaged with.
    • How do you describe your job to someone outside of the industry?
      • I’m a consultant assisting clients through the maze of government. I also give them a voice when they are not present to advocate for themselves.
    • What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started? 
      • Stay calm, especially when things may not be going your way, because it can be helpful in finding another solution.
    • What is one thing about MLC that makes us great? 
      • How we work with our clients and the partnership that we have with them throughout their journey.

Fast questions, real insights – dive deeper in our rapid-fire Q&A video!

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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