Steve Palmer

Retired as Chief Operating Officer in 2019 after 40 years of service to Stiles, Steve Palmer has remained on the company’s Board of Directors. Hired as an estimator in 1979, Steve held such positions as project manager, construction manager, vice president and then president of Stiles Construction prior to assuming the role of Chief Operating Officer in early 1994.

As President of Stiles Construction, Steve was instrumental in guiding the company’s growth to become a highly innovative and sophisticated general contractor. Through his efforts, Stiles Construction acquired major contracts for the construction of design/build assignments, independent contracting jobs and development projects — currently totaling more than $1 billion. Stiles Construction is now widely recognized as an industry leader and one of the largest construction companies in South Florida.

As Chief Operating Officer, Steve is responsible for organizational and strategic planning as well as directly overseeing several operating divisions, including construction, architecture, property management, realty and marketing. His experience and knowledge is valuable in achieving maximum results from each of the operating divisions.

Steve is an honors graduate of the University of Florida’s School of Construction Management and a State of Florida Certified General Contractor. He is a long-standing (30 years) active board member and past president of Kids in Distress, current member of the Executives Association of Fort Lauderdale, on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, and serves on the Advisory Board Executive Council for the University of Florida School of Construction Management.

Steve received the Crystal Butterfly Award from Kids in Distress for the most significant contribution of the year, which was a result of his efforts in saving more than $500,000 in construction costs through donated time and materials for their facility in 1991, and helping save more than $1,000,000 in construction costs on their campus expansion in 2003. Steve was awarded Citizen of the Year from BOMA in 1991 as well as awarded the prestigious Spirit of Broward in 1993 by the Economic Development Council. In 1995, he received an Up & Comers Award from Price Waterhouse LLP and the South Florida Business Journal. In 2000, Steve was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Alumnus designation by the University of Florida School of Building Construction, and in 2010 was elected into the Construction Hall of Fame.

Steve earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida’s School of Construction Management and is a State of Florida Certified General Contractor. Born in Washington, DC, Steve moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1979 after graduating university. Steve and his wife Linda have three children, Sean, Tara, Cameron and two grandchildren.

Professional Affiliations: Habitat for Humanity Board Member and Past President; Executives Association of Fort Lauderdale Board Member and Past President; Kids in Distress Board Member and Past President; First Call for Help Board Member and Past President; Associated Builders and Contractors Member; Advisory Board Executive Council for UF’s School of Building Construction Board member and past President.