James Zimmerman

Jim Zimmerman, President of International Space Services, has more than thirty years of international space cooperation, program and policy experience. During this time he has successfully represented government and commercial organizations, negotiated international agreements and contracts, provided crucial program and policy advice and helped clients overcome a wide variety of space program and business difficulties.

Zimmerman is particularly well acquainted with European aeronautics and space activities having served as the European Representative of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Paris, France from 1985 to 1997. During this twelve-year assignment in France Jim Zimmerman traveled extensively throughout Europe to represent the U. S. Government's civil aerospace interests. He also established close working relationships with government and industry officials in fourteen European countries and developed a keen insight into the region's aeronautics and space programs and plans.

Before his European assignment Jim Zimmerman held several other senior executive positions in the U. S. Government. As the Assistant Director for Export, Import and International Safeguards of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission he was responsible for approving American exports of fuel and reactor components for nuclear power and research purposes. In 1980 Zimmerman founded and served as the first Director of the International Affairs Office of the National Environmental Satellite Service, U.S. Department of Commerce at the time when the Commerce Department assumed responsibility for the LANDSAT earth observations satellite program. Prior to this, Jim Zimmerman, as Chief of NASA’s International Planning and Programs Office, was responsible for negotiating NASA's joint projects with space agencies in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe.

In October 2004 Jim Zimmerman was elected President of the International Astronautical Federation which has member organizations in 45 countries. He also serves as Vice President – International of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and is a co-author of the Next Steps in Exploring Deep Space cosmic study recently published by the International Academy of Astronautics.

Jim Zimmerman received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Beloit College and a Master of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He also studied at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and at Universities in Finland, Austria and Italy. Zimmerman was twice awarded NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal. In addition he received the European Space Agency’s International Space Station Award and the German Space Agency’s International Cooperation Award. Jim Zimmerman is a Fellow in the American Astronautical Society and an Associate Fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.