Douglas Palmer has served the public for nearly 30 years, first, in 1990 he made history as the first African American to lead the Capital City of Trenton.

This memorable election paved the way for serving the city for over 20 years as Mayor. His critical role in leading the Capital City, has made Douglas a consistent advisor to Mayors in New Jersey as well as the Governor on key issues facing Municipal leaders.

Mayor Palmer continues to provide new Mayors guidance through the Kennedy School at Harvard university for newly elected mayors throughout the Country.

Beyond his role in Trenton, Mayor Palmer became a national leader through serving for 2 terms as President of The US Conference of Mayors, and continues to be an advisor to the Conference on critical issues, including serving as co-chair on the Prestigious Business Council. His tenure at the US Conference of Mayors, included serving on the Urban Water Council, and leading critical initiatives with utility and energy companies. Doug currently represents Water and Utility focused clients creating private public partnerships, and technology supports for utility enhancements across the country.

Since leaving office in 2010, established Douglas H. Palmer and Associates, LLC, where he holds the position of President and CEO. This company specializes in inter-governmental and corporate consulting.

Serving in an advisory and board chair, Doug consistently gives back to the City of Trenton through leading the Trenton Literacy Movement. He remains a member of the New Jersey Democratic Organization, and serves as President Emeritus of New Jersey Urban Mayors, after serving 10 years, as well as gubernatorial appointment to the Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission

Achievements:

Mayor Palmer has been recognized for his positive impact in the City of Trenton including:

• Reduced crime and unemployment, dramatically

• Increased homeownership for working families

• Maintained a high tax collection rate and balanced budgets

• Replaced an ineffectual police structure by establishing a civilian police director

• Developed the Marriott Hotel, an anchor of downtown revitalization

• Secured $75 million expansion of the Trenton Train Station, a major engine for downtown economic development, attracting private investment

• Won National Livability Awards for the first Justice Department Weed ‘n Seed program and for a model enrichment program serving at-risk youth

• Emphasizing multi-jurisdictional collaboration and public-private partnerships, Mayor Palmer also led efforts across a wide range of quality-of-life issues.

Critical Public service:

• Mayor of Trenton, New Jersey, 1990-2010

• Past President, U.S. Conference of Mayors, Dec. 2006-June 2008

• Member, United States Homeland Security Advisory Council

• Member, National Voting Rights Commission

• President, National Conference of Democratic Mayors, 2003-2006

• President, New Jersey Conference of Mayors, 2005

• President (Now President Emeritus), New Jersey Urban Mayors for 10 years

• President, National Brownfield Association (NJ Chapter)

• Mercer County Freeholder

• Member DR Canal Commission

Awards and honors:

• National Conference of Mayors President Award, 2012

• Distinguished Public Service Award, 2010, the highest honor conferred by the United States Conference of Mayors

• Honorary Doctorates of Letters, Hampton University, Hampton, VA and Rider University, Lawrence, NJ

• Hampton University’s outstanding “Twenty Year Alumnus” award, given to an alumnus who has excelled in his profession and brought honor to himself and the University by making a positive impact in the community

• Hampton University’s Sports Hall of Fame inducted 2023

• “Spirit of St. Francis” award from St. Francis Hospital in Trenton for outstanding leadership and dedication in the field of health care

• “Equal Justice Medal” from Legal Services of New Jersey for leadership and aggressive policies in the areas of affordable housing, welfare, and other issues affecting the disadvantaged

• State of Israel Peace Medal Award for efforts to increase and improve relationships between the African-American and Jewish populations

• “Tending the Garden State” Community Development Leadership Award from Worldworks Foundation of New Jersey for outstanding achievements in developing successful strategies for permanent solutions to ending hunger

Douglas Palmer and Associates Clients:

• The American Beverage Association

• The National Football League

• Major League Baseball

• McDonalds Corporation

• Comcast

• Curio Wellness

• Delos

• WELL Building Institute

• Premier Magnesia

• SmartCover Systems

Partnerships:

• Arete, a capitol raising company that secures investments for large urban economic development projects

• DSW Solutions, a government relations /strategic advisory firm, serving multi-national corporations focused on regulatory issues at the state and local level.

Community Commitments

Doug continues to support his community, specifically at risk and minority populations through his volunteer leadership roles including:

• Board of Directors of Children’s Futures, a non-profit organization structured health accessibility for parents and children aged 0-3

• Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Trenton Literacy Movement dedicated to public school aged children grades 2-4 to increase literacy

• McCarter Theatre Princeton NJ board Member

• Trustee of the Northeast Region of the Boys and Girls Club of America

He is married to Christiana Foglio-Palmer and they have one daughter, Laila.

A 1973 graduate of Hampton University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration