Through hard work and determination Steven Palazzo has been able to rise from a modest middle class upbringing to become a business leader in his community. All the more amazing is the service Steven has provided our country through his tenure in the Marine Corps Reserves and now the MS National Guard. Palazzo represents what our Founding Fathers envisioned as a leader when they created our country more than 230 years ago.

Born in 1970 in Gulfport, Mississippi, Steven attended Saint John’s High School in Gulfport before earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi. During college, Steven met his wife Lisa and after 15 years of marriage they are the proud parents of Bear, Aubrey, and Bennett. The Palazzo’s are proud to continue to call South MS home.

PROVEN EXPERIENCE – PROVEN LEADERSHIP

In 1988, Steven enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves and was proud to serve with the 3rd Force Recon in the Persian Gulf War spending time in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. In 1997, Palazzo enlisted in the MS National Guard where he currently still serves. Most recently, Steven spent a year supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom at Mobilization Center Camp Shelby.

His service in the military provided Palazzo with a unique understanding of the Expatriate taxation and how it affects U.S. citizens working abroad and paying taxes to the U.S. Government. Through this knowledge, Palazzo and his wife started Palazzo & Company, PLLC, in 2001 to help US citizens working abroad. Over the years and with a lot of blood, sweat and tears, Steven and Lisa have grown this small, home-based business into an international Expat CPA firm specializing in individual income taxes. His company currently serves more than 2000 clients in 25 countries.

PUTTING MISSISSIPPI FIRST

In early 2006, Steven understood that more needed to be done for the residents in Gulfport and made the decision to run in special election for the Mississippi House of Representatives 116th district. Palazzo is proud of his service on the Banking and Financial Services, Labor, Juvenile Justice, and the Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committees. Because of his exemplary service in the MS Legislature, Steven was awarded the 2009 Elected Official of the Year from the MS Wildlife Federation.

The Mississippi Business Journal and the Sun Herald (2005) named Steven as a Top Business Leader under 40. He maintains active memberships in the AICPA, MSCPA, the Gulf Coast Chamber, Rotary Club International, and the NRA as a Life Member.

Steven and Lisa are very involved locally with various charities including but not limited to the Boys and Girls Club, the Rotary Club of Biloxi, and the Marine Corps Association. Steven is also a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Noncommissioned Officers Association.

Steven is a member of St. James Catholic Church, and Lisa is a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church.