Hello and thanks for taking the time to read a little about me.
I’ve been Director of Caroline County Economic Development and Tourism since January 2024, and as of Labor Day, roughly seven months later, I finally feel like I’m getting my feet under me.
On background, I grew up in the Chicago area. For eight years as a young adult, I lived in Martinsburg, W.Va., where I got my start as a journalist at The Journal, a daily newspaper.
I took a job as a copy editor at The Star Democrat (and the Times Record) and moved to Easton the week of Thanksgiving 2007. I was engaged at the time and my wife Serena moved to Easton with me after we married in June 2008. Serena stayed in Washington County, where she grew up, to finish wedding arrangements during the six months we were apart. We were married at her uncle’s historic dairy farm near Boonsboro.
We bought our home just a couple minutes from the Bethlehem post office in 2010. My son, Jackson, just started seventh grade, and my daughter, Evelyn, is now in sixth grade at Colonel Richardson Middle School. With both kids now in middle school, this is a big school year for the Zs. We have two dogs, a rescue mutt named Cooper and a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Amber.
I enjoy time with family, reading history, native gardening, camping, fishing, kayaking, hiking and site seeing, especially historic sites. I like visiting cities every now and then, but I far prefer the country life. The Eastern Shore is the best. I’m very passionate about U.S. history, the good, the bad and the ugly.
Though I grew up a Bears fan, I’m now a diehard Ravens fan and I’m coming around to the Orioles. MJ is the GOAT, no argument. Hockey is the best sport to watch live.
My friends call me Mid-Shore Bob, MSB, or just plain Mid-Shore.
I have a diverse work background including many years as a manager dealing with daily and weekly deadlines during my time as copy editor, business editor and executive editor at various newspapers. I worked through two legislative sessions in Annapolis as Legislative Director for Delegate Johnny Mautz (now Senator Mautz). I worked long hours through the COVID pandemic to serve Delegate Mautz’s constituents, many of whom lost their jobs or struggled to operate businesses through temporary closures, etc. Many folks on the Mid-Shore experienced significant hurdles in applying for unemployment insurance and I did my very best to help them navigate through that crisis. Thanks to Johnny for his mentorship and his dedication to being a model public servant.
I bring a workforce development background to this role, having most recently worked for the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board as Business Services Coordinator. Previous to the USWIB, I worked as Eastern Shore Apprenticeship Navigator for the Maryland Department of Labor Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning. I also have experience in code compliance and enforcement, grant writing and grant administration.
I’m humbled and honored to serve the people of Caroline County, the county I love and call home. I do my best to bring a lot of positive energy and vigor to my role as Director of Caroline County Economic Development and Tourism. I take public service very seriously and I’m working tirelessly to benefit everyone from Templeville to Federalsburg and everywhere in-between. If you’d like to get to know me, or want to get to work, please email me – rzimberoff@carolinemd.org.
Kind regards,
Bob Z.