Neil Palmer

President, Neil Palmer & Associates

Neil Palmer brings his clients a thorough knowledge of government and regulatory affairs, built on experience as a local elected official and a solid background in business operations and finance.

With clients in the energy, transportation, telecommunication and waste management industries, Neil has designed and implemented public affairs strategies leading to the successful licensing of a 1,200-acre intermodal development for Union Pacific Railroad as well as power plants, pipelines, landfills, and other infrastructure to serve public needs. In each case, a strategic public affairs plan was developed with the client, carefully analyzing the local issues, targeting key constituencies and identifying appropriate communication tactics and tools. A confident and articulate public speaker, Neil has in many cases served as project representative before local boards and commissions, project neighbors and the news media.

Neil founded his consulting practice in 1994 with the idea of creating a boutique firm specializing in assisting clients in regulated industries by developing strong local community relations programs. The firm employs a small cadre of senior counselors with complementary communication skills, tapping into a wide network of other capable independent consultants as client needs dictate. This business model assures that clients work directly with seasoned professionals to obtain the best advice and develop effective strategies.

Prior to establishing his consulting career, Neil spent 20 years with Wisconsin Electric Power Co., (now We Energies) a nationally respected utility serving more than one million electric and natural gas customers in Wisconsin and Michigan. Starting in the customer service department, Neil joined the company’s public affairs group in 1976, ultimately managing the corporate affairs division. He was responsible for siting and licensing of major projects; local, state and national media relations; emergency communications planning; local and state government relations; grassroots organizing; public participation programs and risk communication; negotiations and dispute resolution.

Neil is in his seventh term as a trustee of the Village of Elm Grove, Wisconsin, where he chairs the administrative and personnel committee and serves on the planning commission and parks and recreation committee.

Neil holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin and is a graduate of the Public Affairs Institute. He has been a speaker at seminars and conferences sponsored by the US Department of Energy, the Edison Electric Institute, the Public Affairs Council, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Committee for Energy Awareness.

He is a member of the International Association of Public Participation Practitioners, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, the Wisconsin Transportation Development Association, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and the American Nuclear Society. He also is a past member of the Nuclear Engineering Development Board, University of Missouri – Rolla.