Palmer graduated from the College for Creative Studies in 1966, and immediately started working for General Motors' design studios.[2] He was appointed chief designer at Chevrolet III Studio in 1974,[3] later being promoted to GM's Advance Design division in 1986, director of the Thousand Oaks Advance Concept Centre in 1990, and finally executive director of design.
"Palmer retired in 2002 as the executive director of design for General Motors (GM) North American Operations. In this position, he oversaw the interior and exterior design of all of GM’s production vehicles."[2]
He was a principal designer.[4]"Palmer was largely responsible for the design of the four rotor-Aerovette" which was "his design of the Fourth Generation Corvette". He "began working on the design and advanced aerodynamics that became the 1984 Corvette."[4]
"Jerry Palmer was the chief stylist for the third-generation Camaro."[5][4]
In 2000, he was inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame.[4][6][7]