Municipal Engineer of the Year- Dr. Robert Zimmerman

Dr. Robert Zimmerman Named Municipal Engineer of the Year

Moorhead City Engineer Receives Honor from City Engineers Association of Minnesota (CEAM).

Post Date: 01/25/2021 8:00 am

The City of Moorhead is proud to announce that Moorhead City Engineer Dr. Robert Zimmerman was recently named Municipal Engineer of the Year by the City Engineers Association of Minnesota (CEAM). He will be honored at CEAM’s virtual conference January 27 - 29, 2021.

The prestigious Municipal Engineer of the Year honor from Zimmerman’s peers in the municipal engineering field was based on a nomination by members of the City team, and supported by local and regional partners that work with Zimmerman, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the FM Flood Diversion Authority, the City of Fargo, and both Cass and Clay Counties.

Zimmerman has been employed full-time by the City of Moorhead since 1989. His first full-time position was Superintendent of Environmental Systems/Assistant Public Works Director. Even prior to that, during his college years, he worked summers as an Operations Assistant at the Wastewater Division. Zimmerman was promoted to City Engineer in 2002. He holds a P. E. License and a PhD in Engineering, has also served as an Adjunct Professor at North Dakota State University in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. He has published articles in numerous technical and science journals and presented to regional, national, and international audiences.
Zimmerman currently directs a staff of 35 that includes the Engineering Division, Wastewater Utility, and Stormwater Utility. Notable programs and projects constructed under Zimmerman’s leadership that impact the daily lives of Moorhead’s residents and businesses include:

• Citywide Flood Mitigation Improvements
  East Side and South Side Sanitary Sewer Interceptor Improvements
  Downtown Railroad Quiet Zone
  Wastewater Treatment Facility – Innovative Ammonia Removal Technology
  34 St/I-94 Interchange
  SE Main|20 St|21 St Railroad Grade Separation (under construction)
  11 St Railroad Grade Separation (under design)

As Mayor Judd noted in his recommendation letter for this award, “Dr. Zimmerman is more than a city engineer, he is a trusted advisor not only to me, but to those he leads on his team as well as the city that he serves.” And from Joel Paulson, Executive Director of the Fargo-Moorhead Flood Diversion Authority: “Dr. Zimmerman is extremely passionate about municipal engineering and exudes confidence and knowledge in a most humble way that allows him to gain trust and support from the citizens that he serves.”

Congratulations, Dr. Z! Our City is lucky to have you.