Combine a love of winning and profound interest in government with a driving desire to make Michigan a better place for everyone – David Waymire brings all that and more to his position as one of the founders of Martin Waymire.
David is known around the state for his focus on results – for his clients and for Michigan. A strong believer in letting competitive capitalism drive the economy while supporting adequate funding to allow government to provide vital public services critical to a knowledge economy, David has worked with Michigan’s largest corporations and most important public sector entities alike. He is particularly proud of Martin Waymire’s work as a lead consultant on the ballot proposal that ended partisan gerrymandering by setting up an independent citizens redistricting commission.
David graduated from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, and won awards for investigative reporting, deadline writing and political coverage during his 12 years reporting from southern Illinois, Flint and Lansing.
He moved into public relations in 1990, and has received numerous state and national awards for strategizing and implementing issue management and communication plans on some of the most contentious issues in the state, including battles against monopolies in trucking, telecommunications, energy and health care. He also has managed casino marketing and branding campaigns, along with several statewide ballot proposals. In 2003, he received the top national award issued by the Public Relations Society of America, the “Best of Silver Anvil,” for his work with Michigan’s universities and business organizations leading a ballot proposal to ensure state lawmakers maintained control over the state’s tobacco settlement.
In 2013, the Central Michigan Public Relations Society of America named David ‘PACE Maker of the Year’, recognizing his significant contributions to the profession, including mentoring young professionals.
Following his retirement at the end of 2022, David can be found spending time with his daughter, Emma, her husband, Jarrett, and his grandson, Kai Marshall, in Colorado, fishing around the country and enjoying live music in bars and concert venues wherever he can.