Major General Palm assumed the responsibilities as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Marine Corps Association upon retiring from the Marine Corps in August 1998 after 32 years of active service. General Palm is also the President and CEO of the Marine Corps Association Foundation which was established in August of 2009.

General Palm’s Marine career spanned 32 years including combat tours in Viet Nam as an artillery forward observer and in the Gulf War as an artillery regimental commander. His general officer assignments include being the director of Marine Corps manpower policies, programs and budget; the commander of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at 29 Palms California, and the Director of the Headquarters Marine Corps Staff.

As the President and CEO of the Marine Corps Association from 1998 to 2009, manages the professional association for all Marines with 80,000 members. The Association enhances the professional development of Marines by publishing the Marine Corps professional magazines, providing a professional book service and hosting professional forums.

Les and his wife, Suzanne, have two grown children, Tori Palm Bayer and Brian. They also have five grandchildren: Emory, Colin, Tyler, Josephine and Cassie. They spend their leisure time spoiling their grandchildren and gardening.

Les and Suzanne have been members of St Francis of Assisi parish in Triangle Virginia off and on for 17 years when they were stationed in the Quantico Virginia area. Les has served on the finance council for 7 years and on the pastoral council for 5 years (two years as the chairman).