U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer to speak at Hoover chamber luncheon Thursday

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer is scheduled to be the speaker for Thursday’s monthly luncheon of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce.

Palmer, who was elected in 2014 to replace Spencer Bachus in the Sixth Congressional District, is a resident of Hoover.

For 24 years, he was president of the Alabama Policy Institute, which is considered a conservative think-tank that researches and expresses positions on a wide spectrum of issues affecting Alabamians.

Palmer also was a founding member of the board of directors for the State Policy Network, an umbrella organization for state-based think-tanks, and spent two years as the network’s chairman.

Over the years, he was appointed to four state commissions in Alabama by three governors. Former Gov. Fob James appointed him to the Welfare Reform Commission, and he served as an advisor to James’ Aerospace, Science and Technology Task Force. Former Gov. Bob Riley appointed to him to the Task Force to Strengthen Alabama Families, and Gov. Robert Bentley appointed him to the Alabama Commission on Improving State Government.

Palmer earned a bachelor’s degree in operations management from the University of Alabama, where he also was a walk-on member of the football team when Paul “Bear” Bryant was coach.

He worked in the private sector for 12 years, including nine years with two engineering construction companies, before his involvement with Focus on the Family led him to start the Alabama Family Alliance, which later became the Alabama Policy Institute.

After Palmer speaks on Thursday, the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce will take nominations for its 2016 officers and new members of its board of directors.

The luncheon is scheduled for noon on Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel, with networking beginning at 11:15 a.m.

Tuesday is the deadline for luncheon reservations. The luncheon costs $20 with a reservation or $22 at the door without reservations. Reservations can be made by calling the chamber at 988-5672 or emailing Lisa Dunbar at lisa@hooverchamber.org.

This article was updated at 8:19 p.m. to indicate that reservations for the luncheon are being taken through Tuesday, Oct. 13, because of the Columbus Day holiday on Monday.