Gary Palmquist

Gary Palmquist brings twenty years of legislative and political experience to Thorn Run Partners. He has extensive knowledge of many policy areas including small business issues, taxation, health care, foreign policy and international trade.

Mr. Palmquist joins Thorn Run Partners from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), where he has worked since 2007 as a House lobbyist on small business issues. At the NFIB, Mr. Palmquist lobbied members of the House and Senate on issues such as payroll tax relief and health care reform.

Prior to his work for the NFIB, Mr. Palmquist served as legislative director to Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally conservative Democrats in Congress. In that role, he was involved in crafting Blue Dog Coalition alternatives to the federal budget, tax bills and other policy priorities.

Mr. Palmquist previously worked as legislative director to former Congressman Bob Clement (D-TN), handling his assignment to the House Budget Committee, along with tax, defense and foreign policy issues. He also served as legislative director to former Congressman Ken Bentsen (D-TX), a member of the New Democrat Coalition. Mr. Palmquist worked closely with Congressman Bentsen on international trade issues, including Most Favored Nation trade status and Fast Track trade authority.

A skilled liaison between the business community and Capitol Hill, Mr. Palmquist's pragmatic, bi-partisan approach has earned respect on both sides of the aisle.

Mr. Palmquist received his B.S. from the University of Houston and master's degree from American Military University. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Katie.