Hospital. “My father quickly nicknamed me ‘Mickey,’ convinced
that I would be the next Mickey Mantle,” he says with a laugh. “The
real Mickey Mantle was at the height of his pro baseball career at
that time. My athletic career never really bloomed. I hope I didn’t
disappoint my dad.”
As a teenager, Palmer bagged groceries and stocked shelves
former Robby’s Sporting Goods.
After high school graduation, Palmer attended Florida State
University. “I am a proud graduate of Florida State University and
a die-hard fan of Seminoles football,” he remarks. “I have attended
many exciting games in Tallahassee and elsewhere over the years.”
In 1981, Palmer graduated from Samford University, Cumberland
“I began my legal career in 1981 as a prosecutor in the State
recalls. “I prosecuted for three years in Pinellas and an additional
two years here in Manatee.”
From there, Palmer was hired by former County Attorney Chip Rice
Before returning as the County Attorney, Palmer worked in private
in Sarasota. During that time, he specialized in local government
law, eminent domain law, and construction law and litigation.
Palmer is incredibly proud to call Bradenton home and points out
that the area has grown by leaps and bounds over his lifetime. “I
have witnessed incredible changes in Bradenton and Manatee
County over the years,” he says. “It is no longer the sleepy little
community of my bicycling childhood. But with growth comes
are incredible.”
He says he feels lucky to live and work in a community where
the rest of the world wants to visit. “And the weather isn’t too
shabby!” he adds.
FAMILY MAN
Outside of work,
P a lme r e n j o y s
spending time with
his family. He and
his wife Nanci have
been married for 34
years. “We first met
when I was a young
‘hot-shot’ prosecutor
(or so I thought),” he
says. “She worked for
the Clearwater Police
Depar tment , and
we were set up by a
mutual acquaintance
in the department.”
Nanci and Mickey’s
26-year old son, Evan, is a graduate of Lakewood Ranch High
School and the MTI culinary program. “He is an excellent restaurant
he makes me proud every day.”
Since 2009, Palmer has served as the National Anthem singer
and play-by-play announcer for the Lakewood Ranch High School
varsity boys basketball program. “It’s a gig that has allowed me
crooner,” he says. “The LRHS basketball program, led by coach
Jeremy Schiller, is the envy of high school programs in Bradenton
and Sarasota. The boys fell one victory short of winning the state
championship last year. Over the years, I have been asked to sing
the Anthem at any number of events and venues, and I am always
happy to oblige.”
He and his wife also enjoy shopping for and collecting beautiful
pottery, which he calls “three-dimensional art.” Palmer is a big fan
of music and the proud owner of a massive collection of compact
discs. “I probably have one of the largest collections of CDs in the
county,” he boasts.
A FULFILLING CAREER
career. “I am admittedly biased, but I believe that I have assembled
“bang for the buck” for the community’s citizens. “And I have the
statistics to prove it!” he says.
•
68