By day, Johnny ElHachem is a gaming and regulatory attorney at Holland & Knight, where he's spent over a decade navigating the high-stakes world of gaming law -- from prediction markets and sports wagering to emerging gaming products and cross-border regulatory issues. A former Florida gaming regulator based between Miami and Tallahassee, Johnny advises gaming, technology, and entertainment companies on complex regulatory matters, drawing on experience working and studying across the United States, France, and the Middle East.

By night (and most early mornings), Johnny's second full-time job is being an awesome dad—alongside his amazing wife—to their 14-month-old twin girls. He's already mastered the art of dancing around two toddlers at once and now he's ready to take those moves to the stage.

Donnie Glunt has had an extensive career in law enforcement, including 24 years with the Tallahassee Police Department where he currently serves. He's also acted as a volunteer and foster for the Leon County Humane Society for 14 years. Donnie's an FSU alum who enjoys the heck out of college football season. 

Donnie's been married to his wife, Lisa, for 22 years. Their two sons, Noah (19) and Gabriel (15) have been active in soccer for many years and they relentlessly keep their dad on his toes! When sharing about his loving family, Donnie 's quick to mention his adopted pups: Kira, Sally, Daisy, and Cindy Lou. 

Natalie Kato is an attorney, lobbyist, and founder of Kato Law, a boutique law and government affairs firm.  A competitive dancer in her youth, she now spends her time outside of the capitol chasing after her four year old, Evie, cooking with her husband Tim, and playing mahjong.  As a former public defender and social worker, she is excited to use her long-dormant dancing skills and competitive nature to raise money for a great cause! 

Kathy J. Maus is an attorney practicing law for 35 years. As a double graduate of FSU College of Law, she enjoys heavy trial work and litigation.  During her career, Kathy obtained Board Certification in Civil Trial Lawyer for several 5-year terms and is a recognized Florida Super Lawyer in Insurance Coverage for more than a decade. She is licensed in the State of Florida and in each of Florida’s Federal District Courts within the 11th Circuit. She is also licensed to practice in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal and the United States Supreme Court.  She served as an Officer and Director for the DRI, as a Director for The International Association of Defense Counsel, and is a Past-President of the Tallahassee Chapter of ABOTA, the Tallahassee Bar Association, and the Tallahassee Women Lawyers.

In her spare time, she helped her husband (David Maus) raise two wonderful children (Meaghan Neuzil and David Maus, Jr.), each of whom is a practicing lawyer. In her extra spare time, she enjoys tennis, mahjong, playing pool, and dancing.

As Chief of Staff in the Office of the Provost at Florida State University, Leslie helps align institutional strategy with day-to-day operations. As a key liaison across Academic Affairs and university leadership, she delivers the strategic coordination needed to advance FSU’s mission. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history from UWF and her master’s degree in professional communication from FSU. A self-avowed nerd, Leslie thrives on music, humor, baked goods, and the conviction that golden retrievers are furry angels among us. Above all, she’s proudest of her two sons (10 and 11), who keep her laughing, grounded, and thoroughly humble.

Mark Schlakman greeted his family and the world at Mount Siani Hospital in Miami Beach as one of the largest babies born in the new wing, grew up in the Bahamas, returned for high school in Coconut Grove, earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, and J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.

As senior program director within Florida State University’s Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, Mark leverages his experience as special counsel to Governor Lawton Chiles, then senior advisor to Governor Buddy MacKay when President Clinton’s White House Special Envoy for the Americas, before serving as a foreign affairs officer within the U.S. Department of State at the outset of the George W. Bush administration assigned as interim foreign policy advisor to four-star Marine Corps General Peter Pace, Commander, U.S. Southern Command.

Mark chairs Sheriff Walt McNeil’s Citizen Advisory Council, is a founding board member of the Innocence Project of Florida, and "Of Counsel" to Rambana & Ricci, P.L.L.C. He reports that he’s truly enjoying his thus far elusive quest for his mom’s talents on the dance floor in support of the essential work of LSNF through DWTS!

Surrounding DWTS this year, Mark also resolved to raise $5,000.00 for Innocence Project of Florida in cooperation with local community partners on behalf of individuals wrongfully convicted.

Tim Vaccaro is proud to have called Tallahassee home for the past 41 years.  A native of Miami, Tim graduated from the FSU School of Theatre and College of Law. During his 35 years in practice, he has held various positions in Florida’s state agencies.  He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Florida Elections Commission. 

Over the years, Tim has had the great fortune of making many wonderful friends, both within and beyond Tallahassee’s legal community; friends he hopes will support Legal Services of North Florida’s Dancing with the Stars.

Tim is most proud of his 28-year marriage to his lovely wife, Claudia, and their wonderful son, Collin, who is a biology major at FSU.  While Collin lives on campus, Dad takes care of his six snakes (including a seven-foot boa constrictor), five lizards, and one amphibian. It’s a far cry from dancing, but it keeps Tim on his toes.