Palmer Team

Bob Palmer
Founder
1938-2011

Bob founded the firm in 1965 and was the driving force in the firm’s growth and success until the last day of his life. He had over 45 years of leasing experience having been employed by Rentco and Emerson Electric Company prior to founding Palmer Leasing, Inc.

Bob was an avid tennis player. He was a graduate of Southern Illinois University with a degree in accounting and served in the United States Navy on the USS Randolph and USS Forrestal (the first super carrier).

Robert Palmer
President

Bobby has been engaged with the firm since 1987. In addition to Palmer Leasing, he has experience in owning finance, consulting and manufacturing firms. Prior to Palmer Leasing he was employed by Tennis Management, Inc.where he worked under Gloria Connors in the management of Jimmy Connors.

Bobby holds an MBA with a focus on finance from Washington University in St. Louis, Olin School of Business, and a BS in Business Administration with focus on finance from Regis University. He is an adjunct advisor and coach with the Hatchery Program, Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Olin School of Business and a frequent lecturer on business valuation, planning and financial modeling. He is a member of the YPO (Young Presidents Organization), ACG (Association for Corporate Growth), the NPSA (National Portable Storage Association) and the William Greenleaf Eliot Society.

Shannon Palmer
Director of Marketing

Shannon is responsible for the firm’s marketing, advertising, public relations and business development. In addition to Palmer Leasing, Shannon has experience as the Director of Marketing for PotentiaMED, the Director of Marketing and Inside Sales for Amitech Solutions and the Director of Marketing for Fidelity Advisory Network. Prior to that, she served as the Senior Copywriter for Freestyle Interactive Advertising in San Francisco. Her advertising agency experience includes accounts such as Cisco Systems, Coca-Cola, Oracle, CBS MarketWatch, Sega Corporation, XO Communications, PeoplePC, etc. She also served as the Editorial/Marketing Director for AlcheMe.com in San Francisco.

Shannon holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism with an Advertising Major from The University of Missouri, Columbia. She also studied Interactive Multimedia and Graphic Design at San Francisco State University and Interior and Landscape Architecture & Design at The University of California, Berkeley.

Jeff Ballenger
Manager of Operations

Jeff has been engaged with the firm since 2004. Jeff is an integral member of the team and contributor to the development and implementation of organizational strategies, policies and practices. He oversees operational and administrative functions and provides client support.

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems Security from IIT, St. Louis.

Ray Meng
Fleet Services

Ray has been employed with the firm since 2008. Ray is an important member of the team and contributor to the development and implementation of the inspection, maintenance and repair of the fleet and related standards and procedures. He oversees contractors and manages the maintenance facilities. Ray has over 20-years of industry experience.

Steve Richardson
Transportation Services

Steve has been employed with the firm since 2000. He plays an essential role in providing seamless and friendly execution of equipment delivery and pick up. Steve has over 30 years of industry experience.

Michael Lazzaro
Systems Administrator, Analyst

Michael is involved with management information systems development and financial analysis at the firm.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Managerial Economics and Strategy from Washington University's Olin Business School as well as a BS in Computer Science from Washington University's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Jeck
Security

Jeck has been employed with the firm since 2010. He is very adept at being unwelcoming during off business hours. He has won numerious good citizenship awards. Jeck is orginally from Czechoslovakia where he was trained in border patrol.

Addie
Security

Addie has been employed with the firm since 2010. She is an ambassador for the firm and a great athlete. Addie was born in Czechoslovakia and was trained in fetch and protection.