Steve Palmer has spent his career immersed in aviation and surface transportation policy. As a Vice President, he leads Van Scoyoc Associates’ transportation practice, developing and implementing advocacy efforts for public sector and corporate clients on legislative initiatives, appropriations, competitive grants, and administrative actions before Congress and Executive Branch agencies.
Steve’s knowledge of the nuances of transportation policy make him an expert at drafting legislative solutions to address client needs. His relationships with key transportation leaders in the House and Senate, as well as senior officials at the Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Homeland Security, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB), make him uniquely effective in building support for client initiatives.
Prior to joining VSA, Steve spent five years as DOT’s Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs. He was the key legislative strategist for the Secretary of Transportation, working with the Congress, White House, OMB, and Administrators of each of the DOT modal agencies. He also coordinated competitive grant activities for airports, highways, transit, rail, and other infrastructure programs, giving him a unique perspective on how to help clients successfully compete for federal grant funds.
Steve also served for ten years in senior positions on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, including Staff Director of the Aviation Subcommittee. He began his congressional career as an analyst on the Senate Budget Committee and came to Washington, D.C. after being selected in the nationally-competitive Presidential Management Intern Program.
Steve received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Mich., and his Masters of Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.
