Admiral Tim Ziemer was appointed in June 2006 to lead the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). The PMI is a historic $1.2 billion, five-year initiative to control malaria in Africa. Announced by President Bush on June 30, 2005, it 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. The goal of the Initiative is to reduce malaria-related deaths by 50 percent in 15 countries by achieving 85 percent coverage of proven preventive and curative interventions. As coordinator, Admiral Ziemer reports to the USAID administrator, with direct authority over both the PMI and USAID malaria programs.

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.

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 this tour, he flew 550 combat sorties in support of the Navy Seals and riverine forces.

During his naval career, 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.

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.

Before joining World Relief, Ziemer was Vice President of the Arlington Institute, a nonprofit research institute that specializes in strategic planning and seeks to influence change by applying emerging technology.

Ziemer and his wife Jodi live in Springfield, Virginia. They have three children, Eric, Kyle, and Kelli; a daughter-in law, Jennifer; and a granddaughter, Ruby.