Rob Palmer Email & Phone Number

Muskegon, Michigan, Us

As the Vice President of Washington Operations, I advocate for RENK’s interests with the U.S. government, state governments, and foreign embassies. I support RENK America in regulatory affairs, defense procurement, exports, and legislation.For over 100 years, RENK America has been the leading and the only U.S.-based supplier of complete mobility solutions for combat vehicles. As part of the RENK Group, we are the trusted authority leading the way in the innovation, research, development, and manufacture of these unique transmissions and engines. Our products have played a part in every major military conflict since the beginning of the last century, so we understand the critical importance of the quality, performance, and reliability of our products to keep our service members safe in the harsh conditions of combat.RENK America is headquartered in Muskegon, Michigan and employs a workforce of over 500 highly skilled professionals in four different locations nationwide. Formerly known as L3Harris – Combat Propulsion Systems, RENK America is the OEM of the Army’s HMPT transmission and AVDS-1790 engine found in the M88 Recovery System and several main battle tank applications with allied partners. RENK America’s HMPT transmission is on 70% of combat vehicles in the Army’s Armored Brigade Combat Teams (BCT), including the Bradley M2, M109A7 artillery cannon, Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), and the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV). All these vehicles have experienced significant weight growth and updated electronics packages since their initial design, leading to a need for additional engine power to meet these new requirements. As electrical power generation and drive technologies have matured, RENK America has developed a hybrid approach that enables these vehicles to meet their increased power requirements.

Madison, Wisconsin, Us

I was responsible for advising the board of directors, CEO, and business unit leaders on government and political impacts to our business. I educated and informed U.S. Senators, Members of Congress, Wisconsin state legislators, and their staffs about the effects of legislative and executive action on our business. I maintained relationships with think tanks, trade associations, and military and veterans service organizations to position WPS Health Solutions as a thought leader in health insurance and health care administration.

Madison, Wisconsin, Us

Randolph Afb, Tx, Us

As an drilling Air Force Reservist assigned to the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, I assisted the Director of Public Affairs in developing and executing global communication processes to build understanding and support for the Air Force and Space Force and in providing guidance and support for nearly 4,500 active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen and civilians in their mission to broadcast internal Air Force information, conduct community and media relations, manage integrated marketing, and execute security review programs.

Washington, D.C., Us

As an Air Force Reserve IMA, I performed duty as a Special Assistant for Public Affairs in the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Us

As a member of the Air Force Reserve, I performed my annual military training requirements in the public affairs office of United States Transportation Command.

Randolph Afb, Tx, Us

I led the Public Affairs directorate (HQ AFRC/PA) in planning, developing, organizing, and conducting the Air Force Reserve’s unit public affairs program on the national and international levels. I provided public affairs counsel to senior reserve leadership on policies and actions that facilitate employee and public understanding of AFRC objectives and programs, and served as command spokesman with representatives of national, regional, and local news media. I developed and oversaw command wide community relations, social media, and internal information programs. I planned and advocated for public affairs resources and programs to support national, Air Force, and Air Force Reserve objectives and served as the Career Field Manager for more than 200 Air Force Reserve public affairs officers.

Randolph Afb, Tx, Us

I was detailed to the Strategy and Assessments Division of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs and performed duties as the deputy division chief. I was responsible for strategic communication planning and integration for the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act and the Air Force's proposed force structure reductions and served as the public affairs liaison to the Air Force Office of Legislative Liaison. I assisted in conducting media training for Department of Defense and Air Force senior leaders.

As an active duty Air Force Reserve officer, I was responsible for informing and educating Members of Congress, professional staff members, and personal staff members on matters pertaining to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). NORAD is a United States and Canada bi-national organization charged with the missions of aerospace warning and aerospace control for North America. Aerospace warning includes the monitoring of man-made objects in space, and the detection, validation, and warning of attack against North America whether by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles, through mutual support arrangements with other commands. USNORTHCOM's mission is to anticipate and conduct Homeland Defense and Civil Support operations within the assigned area of responsibility to defend, protect, and secure the United States and its interests USNORTHCOM consolidates under a single unified command existing missions that were previously executed by other DoD organizations.

Randolph Afb, Tx, Us

As an active duty Air Force Reserve officer, I was detailed to the Office of Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina for one year. The Air Force Legislative Fellowship is an in-residence Intermediate Development Education program equivalent to Air Command and Staff College.I worked on foreign relations and national security issues for Senator DeMint.

As an Air Force Reservist serving on active duty, I integrated the organization’s key themes and messages throughout all communication channels, including speeches, press releases, newsletter articles, Congressional testimony, and responses to media queries. I wrote articles for external publication and drafts speeches for senior Department of Defense officials, and organized meetings and events for private and public sector executives and senior Department of Defense officials. During the period of time I was assigned to ESGR, I deployed to Southwest Asia as the Chief of Media Operations in the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command Air Forces (USCENTAF). I was certified as a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR).

I served as Chief Executive Officer for a statewide construction trade association with an annual budget of $1.2MM and a staff of nine full time personnel. My duties included serving as the corporate secretary, preparing an annual budget, managing staff, and implementing the vision and policies of the association’s Board of Directors. I served as publisher for the Indiana Constructor, a bi-monthly magazine with 4,200 readers. In my role as CEO, I oversaw four separate corporations, including the association, an industry advancement fund, a 501(c)(3) education foundation and a state political action committee and managed over $1MM in assets. I was a registered as a lobbyist with the Indiana Lobbying Commission.

Indianapolis, In, Us

On a part-time basis, I taught political science and business administration courses to traditional college students and adult learners.

Indianapolis, Indiana, Us

I held various positions within the Indiana Army National Guard's 38th Infantry Division Artillery, including battery fire direction officer, company fire support officer, firing battery commander, and assistant fire support coordinator. Through my service in the National Guard, I completed the Public Affairs Officer Course at the Defense Information School at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, and the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course and Advanced Course at the U.S. Army Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Washington, District Of Columbia, Us

I was responsible for providing meeting planning, record-keeping and labor relations support to the Fort Wayne and Muncie-Richmond Divisions of the Central Indiana Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association. I represented the three Indiana Chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association as a lobbyist before the Indiana General Assembly. I served as a trustee on a Taft-Hartley pension fund.

Washington, Dc, Us

I served as a special assistant to the U.S. Representative from Indiana’s Fifth Congressional District. I assisted Congressman Steve Buyer in responding to requests and concerns from constituents regarding the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. I administered Congressman Buyer's service academy selection process and drafted speeches and letters for the Congressman concerning the impact of legislation on the citizens of the Fifth District.

Chantilly, Va, Us

I served as Chief Executive Officer of the Sheet Metal Contractors Association of Central Indiana, the local chapter of SMACNA. I supported labor relations for a multi-employer collective bargaining unit composed of HVAC, industrial and architectural sheet metal contractors with SMWIA Local Union #20. I lobbied the Indiana General Assembly on behalf of the union sheet metal contracting industry.

Ma, International Affairs

Mpa

Ba, Political Science

Executive Development, Air Force Enterprise Leadership Seminar

From Battlefield To Board Room

Nato Senior Officer Policy Course

Diploma