Alaska Division of
Economic Development
Director Palmer's bio
Lorene Palmer became the Director of Economic Development in the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED) in November 2012. As director, she leads development and finance staff in creating demand for Alaska’s resources, products, and services; educating Alaskans about the programs and tools available to start new businesses or expand existing businesses; and coordinating with public and private entities to invest in Alaska’s economy. Palmer works closely with other DCCED agencies, including the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, and the Alaska Railroad.
Previously, Palmer was the president and CEO of the Juneau Convention & Visitors Bureau (JCVB) for 10 ½ years, where her primary objective was the enhancement of Juneau’s economy through the sustained promotion of the community as a leisure and convention destination. Additional professional experience includes serving as owner of Cornerstone Consulting, as an Assistant Professor at the University of Alaska Southeast, and as the Executive Director of the Southeast Alaska Tourism Council.
Palmer holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Hawaii. She is a former board member of the Western Association of Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Juneau Chamber of Commerce, the Alaska Committee, and a member of the Alaska Travel Industry Association, and Southeast Conference. Community service included Glacier Valley Rotary, American Red Cross and Junior Achievement. Lorene’s family moved to Juneau, Alaska in 1968 with Standard Oil, then to Fairbanks where she graduated from Lathrop High School during the height of the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Lorene has also resided in the Southeast communities of Haines, Craig (Prince of Wales Island) and Petersburg.
