Robert Palmer is an Iowa attorney, association executive, and government affairs advocate who helps businesses and associations shape legislation, navigate regulation, and deliver desired outcomes on high-stakes public issues. At Nyemaster, he advises and represents clients across Iowa and the Midwest, with a focus on business, energy policy, and economic development. Robert is also a longstanding civic and association leader, holding leadership roles across chambers of commerce, foundations, and industry associations. He brings clear legal analysis, deliberate strategy, and trusted relationships that move decision-makers and drive outcomes.
11-15 years
2025 West Des Moines Emerging Citizen of the Year
2019 Business Record Forty Under 40
Served eight years on the Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy (three terms; appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Iowa Senate)
Served three years on the Chicago Federal Reserve Community Advisory Committee
Serving on the Chicago Federal Reserve Pilot Alumni Advisory Council (PAAC)
President, West Des Moines Community Foundation
Treasurer, Executive Committee, West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
Chair, Drake University College of Arts & Sciences National Advisory Council
President, Iowa Society of Association Executives (ISAE) (2025-2026)
Robert Palmer is an Iowa attorney, association executive, and government affairs advocate who advises businesses and organizations on high-stakes public issues at the intersection of law, policy, and economic growth. At Nyemaster, he represents clients navigating legislation, regulation, and complex stakeholder environments across Iowa and the Midwest, with a particular focus on business advocacy, energy policy, and economic development.
Robert's work is grounded in practical outcomes. Clients rely on him to assess legal and political risk, develop disciplined messaging and strategy, build coalitions, and engage effectively with lawmakers, regulators, and community leaders. He is known for clear analysis, strong judgment, and an ability to translate complex issues into persuasive narratives that resonate with decision-makers.
In addition to his legal and advocacy practice, Robert has extensive nonprofit and association leadership experience, giving him a strong understanding of governance, member value, and organizational strategy. He serves as President of the West Des Moines Community Foundation, Treasurer on the Executive Committee of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, and Chair of the Drake University College of Arts & Sciences National Advisory Council. He is also President of the Iowa Society of Association Executives (2025-2026).
Robert previously served eight years on the Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Iowa Senate for three terms. He also served three years on the Chicago Federal Reserve Community Advisory Committee and continues to serve on the Chicago Federal Reserve's Pilot Alumni Advisory Council (PAAC). He has been recognized for leadership and community impact, including being named the 2025 West Des Moines Emerging Citizen of the Year and receiving the Business Record Forty Under 40 honor in 2019.
(850) 205-9000
Po Box 10909, Tallahassee, FL, 32302-2909,
1) AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association)
8) American Planning Association, Florida Chapter
9) American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance
12) Associated Industries of Florida
14) Barron Collier Partnership, LLLP
15) Better Together Strengthening Families, Inc.
16) BioFlorida, Inc
17) Boys Town of North Florida
18) BrightSpring Health Services
19) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
21) Centene Corporation on behalf of its affiliates and subsidiaries
23) City of Daytona Beach Shores
27) City of Westlake
28) Collier Resources Company, LLP
29) Columbia County Board of County Commissioners
30) Connecticut Attorneys Title Insurance Company (CATIC)
31) Consumer Data Industry Association
32) eBay, Inc.
33) Ecosystem Investment Partners
34) Emerald Coast Utilities Authority
36) Enterprise Leasing Company of Florida, LLC and its Affiliates DBA Enterprise Mobility
38) Ferd and Gladys Alpert Jewish Family & Children's Service of Palm Beach County
39) Florida Academy of Family Physicians
40) Florida Agriculture Center & Horse Park Authority
41) Florida Associated General Contractors Council
42) Florida Bar Business Law Section, The
43) Florida Bar, The
45) Florida Community Financial Services Association, Inc
46) Florida Creditors Bar Association, Inc.
47) Florida Dental Hygienists' Association
48) Florida Physical Therapy Association
49) Florida Psychiatric Society
50) Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
51) Florida Society of Ambulatory Surgical Centers
52) Florida Society of Anesthesiologists
53) Genentech, Inc., a Member of the Roche Group
56) GoodLeap, LLC
57) Halifax Hospital Medical Center
58) Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation, Inc
59) Hearing the Ovarian Cancer Whisper, Inc.
60) Infectious Disease Prevention Network
61) Mayo Clinic
64) NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties
65) National Association of Social Workers Florida Chapter
66) OFFOR Health
67) Pearson, Inc
69) Progressive Insurance Company
70) Regions Financial Corporation
71) Roberts Family of Companies
72) Roche Diagnostics Corporation
73) Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association
75) South West Florida Enterprises
76) St. Augustine Youth Services
77) State College of Florida Foundation, Inc
78) Stripe, Inc.
79) StubHub Inc.
80) Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
81) Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association
83) The No More Foundation, Inc.
84) The School Board of Seminole County, Florida
85) TikTok Inc.
86) UPS
415-389-6800
SAN RAFAEL, CA, 94901,
(801) 599-4664
748 Justin Kay Court, Salt Lake City, UT, 84104,
3129396075
HOUSING ACTION ILLINOIS, 67 E. MADISON #1603, CHICAGO, IL, 60603,
602-255-5575
225-344-5001
6767 PERKINS ROAD, BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, 70808,
9378319544
Wright State University, 286 University Hall, Dayton, OH, 45435,
3127875868
300 S. ASHLAND AVE, SUITE 400, CHICAGO, IL, 60607,
(317) 410-0313
170 Governors Lane, Zionsville, IN, 46077,
(317) 410-0313
170 Governors Lane, Zionsville, IN, 46077,
(608) 273-3840
660 John Nolen Drive, Suite 300, Madison, WI, 53713,
602-381-2271
ONE EMPIRE DRIVE, RENSSELAER, NY, 12144,
(801) 486-4776
1270 East 8600 South, 16, Sandy, UT, 84094,
(317) 517-6216
PO Box 704, Zionsville, IN, 46077,
(317) 517-6216
PO Box 704, Zionsville, IN, 46077,
(706) 540-2341
142 Powell Street SE, ATLANTA, GA, 30316,
(202) 638-0125
777 6th Street NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC, 20001,