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.
571-562-0495
17680 Colonial Street, Dumfries, Dumfries, VA, 22026,
(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
33) eBay, Inc.
34) Ecosystem Investment Partners
35) Emerald Coast Utilities Authority
37) Enterprise Leasing Company of Florida, LLC and its Affiliates DBA Enterprise Mobility
39) Ferd and Gladys Alpert Jewish Family & Children's Service of Palm Beach County
40) Florida Academy of Family Physicians
41) Florida Agriculture Center & Horse Park Authority
42) Florida Associated General Contractors Council
43) Florida Bar Business Law Section, The
44) Florida Bar, The
47) Florida Creditors Bar Association, Inc.
48) Florida Dental Hygienists' Association
49) Florida Independent Automobile Dealers Association (FIADA)
50) Florida Physical Therapy Association
51) Florida Psychiatric Society
52) Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
53) Florida Society of Ambulatory Surgical Centers
54) Florida Society of Anesthesiologists
55) Genentech, Inc., a Member of the Roche Group
58) GoodLeap, LLC
59) Halifax Hospital Medical Center
60) Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation, Inc
61) Hearing the Ovarian Cancer Whisper, Inc.
62) Infectious Disease Prevention Network
63) Mayo Clinic
66) NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties
67) National Association of Social Workers Florida Chapter
68) OFFOR Health
69) Pearson, Inc
71) Progressive Insurance Company
72) Regions Financial Corporation
73) Roberts Family of Companies
74) Roche Diagnostics Corporation
75) Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association
77) South West Florida Enterprises
78) St. Augustine Youth Services
79) State College of Florida Foundation, Inc
80) Stripe, Inc.
81) Strive Pharmacy
82) StubHub Inc.
83) Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
84) Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association
86) The No More Foundation, Inc.
87) The School Board of Seminole County, Florida
88) TikTok Inc.
89) UPS
1133 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 620, Washington, DC, 20036,
2) AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION
4) AMERICAN INVESTMENT COUNCIL
5) AMERICAN PROPERTY CASUALTY INSURERS ASSOCIATION
8) BLACKROCK FUNDS SERVICES GROUP LLC (FORMERLY BLACKROCK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INC.)
10) COINBASE, INC.
11) CRYPTO COUNCIL FOR INNOVATION
12) EARLY WARNING SERVICES, LLC
14) FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION (DBA FICO)
15) FISERV, INC.
16) FMR LLC
19) INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL BANKERS
20) JPMORGAN CHASE HOLDINGS LLC
21) MELLON FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATE #1 (FORMERLY BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON CORP.)
22) MERCURY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
23) NATIONAL CREDITORS BAR ASSOCIATION
24) ONTARIO SYSTEMS, LLC D/B/A FINVI
25) OPENRESERVE
26) OPPORTUNITY FINANCIAL, LLC
27) SECURITIES INVESTOR PROTECTION CORPORATION
28) SECURITIZE, INC.
29) SIDEPRIZE LLC, D/B/A PRIZEPICKS
30) SMBC AMERICAS HOLDINGS, INC.
31) SWIFT, INC.
32) THE DEPOSITORY TRUST & CLEARING CORPORATION
33) THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
35) WISE US INC.
36) ZIP CO US INC
800 Maine Ave. SW Floor 7, Suite 200, Washington, DC, 20024,
2) AARP
3) ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION
4) ACT FOR NIH: ADVANCING CURES TODAY
5) AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND
6) ASSN. OF STATE AND TERRITORIAL HEALTH OFFICIALS
7) ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS OF PUBLIC HEALTH
8) ASSOCIATION OF STATE AND TERRITORIAL HEALTH OFFICIALS
9) BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA
10) BLUEPRINT BIOSECURITY ACTION
11) CHILDHELP
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,
1608 RHODE ISLAND AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036,
529 14th St NW, Ste 400, WASHINGTON, DC, 20045,
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
320 S. Canal Street, Chicago, IL, 60606,
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,
251-855-3821
251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE, 19808,
4245 NORTH FAIRFAX DRIVE, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203,
(202) 638-0125
777 6th Street NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC, 20001,
800 Maine Avenue, SW, Suite 800, Washington, DC, 20024,