Barbara Jo Palmer

Palmer earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degree at Florida State University (FSU) in 1970 and 1974.[1]

After earning her master's degree, Palmer accepted a position at Impact Enterprises Inc., and later became a recreation supervisor in Merritt Island.[2] On August 3, 1977, Palmer replaced Marlene Furnell as FSU Women's Athletic Director.[1] Upon her appointment, Palmer also inherited the $1 million deficit as she struggled to financially support women’s intercollegiate teams without a full-time coach.[3] As a result, she was an active lobbyist with the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women which eventually convinced the Florida government to budget $2.8 million towards women collegiate programs at eight universities.[4] Under her directorship, FSU women's collegiate teams won five national championships and 226 All-American awards.[5] By 1982, she was inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame for her lobbying activities.[6] From 1984 until 1985, she sat on the Board of Directors for the Council of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators.[7]

In 1990, she was inducted into Florida State University's Hall of Fame.[8][9] Five years later, she was shortlisted for the opportunity to become FSUs Athletic Director.[10] In 2007, she was recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators.[11]

In 2011, Palmer was appointed to Chief of Staff with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. She later became its director upon appointment from Governor Rick Scott in August 2012.[12]