JIM PALMER NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MADISON – On December 7, 2007, the WPPA announced that it has named Jim Palmer as its new executive director. Established in 1932 and now representing nearly 11,000 members from more than 375 local association affiliates, the WPPA is the state’s largest law enforcement group. As executive director, Palmer will be responsible for the development, promotion, and operations of the WPPA’s programs and services. Most recently serving the organization as its assistant executive director and director of governmental affairs, Palmer succeeds Thomas Bahr, who retired on November 26.

Since joining the WPPA in March of 2003, Palmer has worked with the Board of Directors to establish a public affairs platform, a legislative scoring methodology and other internal policies and procedures to improve the group's legislative effectiveness. Prior to 2003, Palmer worked for an Indiana law firm and primarily practiced corporate transactional law, which included incorporations, mergers and acquisitions, import law and product safety compliance, as well as specialized employment contracts. During that time, his representation included an investor-owned subsidiary of a national water utility, a regional hospital system, a minor league professional basketball team and various units of local government.

Palmer received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and a law degree from the Valparaiso University School of Law, where he was an editor of the law review. In addition to being a licensed Wisconsin lobbyist, Palmer is admitted to practice law before all state and federal courts in Wisconsin and Indiana. Palmer is an active member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Wisconsin, and the Association of Wisconsin Lobbyists.