As the Alliance’s Agricultural & Restoration Policy Director, Tom leads work in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio to achieve the Alliance’s agriculture and water goals and implements regional restoration initiatives. In addition, he serves as a convener, organizer, and relationship builder at all levels of government and stakeholders, emphasizing state-level agriculture water policy.
Most recently, Tom served as the Senior Environmental Policy Advisor for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Prior to that role, Tom worked at the Michigan Environmental Council as the Agriculture and Source Water program & policy manager. In that capacity, he served on Michigan’s Water Use Advisory Council, Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program Advisory Council, and Michigan’s Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices Task Force. He also serves on the Board of Michigan Agriculture Advancement and co-founded the Rural Michigan Initiative in collaboration with Alma College to elevate human and environmental issues in rural communities.
Zimnicki holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Adrian College (MI), a Master of Science degree in environmental science, and a Master of Public Affairs degree from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs. A Michigan native, Tom and his wife, Meg, are emergency foster parents in Lansing.