About
DC Palmer LLC employs multi-disciplinary strategists, facilitators, and Realtors based out of Detroit, Michigan.
How We Can Help
Industry & occupational areas of expertise
- Workforce development, apprenticeship, and labor market analysis
- Economic development
- Entrepreneurship & small business management
- Government relations: local, state and federal
- Nonprofit management, grant writing and fund development
- Real estate sales and development
- Restaurant menu design, management, and event planning
- Transportation, distribution, domestic and international logistics
Meet the Team
David Palmer, MPA. Associate Broker & Realtor.
- DC Palmer LLC, 2016-present
Principal - Realty Experts, 2013-present
Associate Broker, Realtor, ABR, SRS, SRES - Hamtramck Parks Conservancy, 2021-2022 Interim Executive Director
- Workforce Intelligence Network, 2014-2019
Senior Director for Strategies & Partnerships - LaVision, Inc., 2006-2012
Business Manager - Protech Environmental Services, 2002-2006
Controller - New England Organics, 2001-2002
Office Manager - Restaurant & Hospitality Industry, 1990-2001
Chef, Assistant Smokemaster, General Manager
Vanessa Bell
Project Manager
Ms. Bell is a Detroit native who is a meticulous and resourceful lateral thinker, with 10+ years of management experience rooted in project & data management. She is highly skilled managing people and events.
She is certified in workforce development by the U.S. Department of Labor. Ms. Bell works diligently on projects that support talent development and the enhancement of underserved communities.

More About DC Palmer LLC
Publications
University of Michigan Poverty Solutions, Detroit, MI
- Detroit Dreams Deferred: Thousands Mortgage Ready but Many Miss Out (Co-authors: Trina Shanks, Hector Hernandez, 2021)
Talent 2025, Grand Rapids, MI
- Longitudinal Data Systems in Michigan: SLDS Analysis, Stakeholder Input and Recommendations (Co-author: Tricia Czachowski, 2020)
Workforce Intelligence Network, Taylor, MI
- Contributing editor, researcher and author for publications 2014-2019. Highlights include:
- 2019 Detroit Region Employer Turnover Studies (six Michigan Works Agencies),
- Supporting Job Seekers Facing Multiple Barriers to Work (McGregor Fund),
- Detroit Workforce Analysis (Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau),
- Quarterly Labor Market Reports (WIN)
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- Community Based Investing: Crowdfunding and the Michigan Invests Locally Exemption (Co-author: Angela Barbash, 2014)
Speaking Engagements
- Michigan Alliance for Greater Mobility Advancement (MAGMA)
- Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
- US Senator Gary Peters
- NextEnergy
- Center for Automotive Research
- Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce
- North American International Auto Show
- Auto-ISAC
- ITS Michigan
- US Economic Development Administration
- MichAuto
- Wayne State University
- Michigan State University
- > 100 public speaking engagements since 2014
Fellowships
- Michigan State University Innovation Fellow, Regional Economic Innovation Center
- Movement Politics Academy, Michigan United and coalition partners
- Detroit District Six Leadership Series, Councilwoman Raquel Castaneda-Lopez
- Doing Development Differently in Metro Detroit, University of Michigan
- Talent Pipeline Management Academy, US Chamber of Commerce Foundation
- Leadership Detroit, Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Michigan Political Leadership Program, Michigan State University
Board & Committee Service
- Board of Directors, United Community Housing Coalition
- Instructor, Michigan State University Extension, First Time Homebuyer Program
- Computer Science Advisory Board, Wayne State University
- Board Member, Hubbard Richard Residents Association, Detroit, MI
- Steering Committee Member, Michigan Talent Architecture Coalition
- Core Team Member, ExperienceIT Detroit
- Government Affairs Committee Member, Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors
- Policy Committee, Community Development Advocates of Detroit
- Transportation Coordinating Council, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments
- Steering Committee Members, Detroit Jobs Alliance
- Executive Committee Member, Eastern Leaders Group
Board Member, Growing Hope