Bob Zimmerman cofounded an athletic academy early in his career, serving as its headmaster for 13 years, placing all graduates in competitive colleges and 14 on US national teams. He then stepped into a new career as Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association. Over nearly 30 years under his direction, he expanded the focus of the organization to include scientific research and analysis, ecosystem and land-use planning, land and water regulation reform, and restorative technology development, while winning major battles to restore and protect the Charles River and its parklands. In 2011 CRWA won the $350,000 International River Foundation’s Theiss International Riverprize for exceptional river management. US EPA now calls the Charles the cleanest urban river in America.
He is creative and visionary, with strong skills in assessment, prioritization, and institutional development. He has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Central Michigan University, and did continuing studies in finance, computer applications, and management at the University of Vermont and the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. He was named a River Network River Hero, received the Gulf of Maine Council’s Visionary Award, and EPA New England’s Environmental Lifetime Achievement Award, all in 2018.
LinkedIn: Bob Zimmerman