Palmer was born in Flagstaff and is the fourth generation in his family to live in Flagstaff. After attending Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, he studied finance and marketing at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, graduating with a degree in business administration. After graduation, Palmer worked for PepsiCo in California in sales and operations from 2011-2015. In 2015, Palmer moved back to Flagstaff to become the third generation to work in the family beverage business.

​

He currently serves as President at The Nackard Companies, which includes three entities: Nackard Pepsi, Hi-Line Refreshment Services, and Legacy Beverage. The companies have over 300 employees, delivering beverages and snacks to 3000 customers across 41,000sq miles in Northern and Eastern Arizona.

​

Palmer is a board member of the American Beverage Association and the Pepsi Independent Bottlers Association. He’s president of the Arizona Beverage Association, a member of the Next Generation Bottler Network, and President of the NAU Franke Business School Professional Selling Advisory Council. Palmer is Chairman of the Lowell Observatory Advisory Board, member of the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Board, and a member of the Northern Arizona Leadership Alliance Board. In 2018, Palmer was recognized in the AZ Daily Sun 20 Under 40 awards for his business and philanthropic achievements. Palmer and his wife, Erin, have two kids – the fourth generation of his family to grow up in Northern Arizona.