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PMI: Presidents Malaria Initiative - Saving lives in Africa.

Rear Admiral Tim Ziemer, U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator

Photo of Rear Adm. Tim Ziemer, U.S. Malaria Coordinator
   

R. Timothy Ziemer
Rear Admiral, United States Navy (Retired)

U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator

Rear Admiral Tim Ziemer was appointed in June 2006 to lead the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), a historic $1.2 billion, five-year initiative to control malaria in Africa. In 2008, the Lantos-Hyde Act authorized an expansion of PMI for 2009-2013, and in 2009, PMI was included as a key component of the U.S. Government’s Global Health Initiative. As a result, the PMI strategy was revised to achieve Africa-wide impact by halving the burden of malaria in 70 percent of at-risk populations in sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 450 million people, thereby removing malaria as a major public health problem and promoting economic growth and development throughout the region.

PMI is a collaborative U.S. Government effort led by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the Department of State, the White House, and others. As coordinator, Rear Admiral Ziemer reports to the USAID administrator and has direct authority over both PMI and USAID malaria programs.

Rear Admiral Ziemer previously served as Executive Director of World Relief, which provides disaster response, community development, child/maternal health, HIV/AIDS, agricultural assistance, and microcredit programs in over 30 countries. World Relief is operational in the United States, resettling refugees and providing immigration services through 24 affiliate offices across the country.

Rear Admiral Ziemer was born in Sioux City, Iowa, but was raised in Asia, the son of missionary parents serving in Vietnam. After graduating from Wheaton College, he joined the Navy, completed flight school, and returned to Vietnam to fly during the war.

During his naval career, Rear Admiral Ziemer commanded several squadrons and an air wing supporting the first Gulf War. As Commanding Officer of Mayport Naval Station, he consolidated two naval bases to achieve efficiencies and reduce support costs. The Naval Station was awarded the State of Florida’s Sterling Award for quality efficiency. It was the first federal facility to achieve this recognition. Subsequent assignments included serving as the senior fellow with the Navy’s Strategic Studies Program at the Naval War College, and Deputy Director for Operations in the National Military Operations Center on the Joint Command Staff.

Rear Admiral Ziemer's last duty assignment was as Commander of the Navy's Mid-Atlantic Region, responsible for the 11 bases providing support to the world’s largest naval complex, including seaport and airport operations, maintenance of facilities, utilities, communications, and environmental programs. During his tenure, he initiated and directed the re-engineering of many of the support functions through consolidation and outsourcing.

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