Peter Zimmerman

Senior Manager, Dam Safety Services

Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States

About

Peter Zimmerman is a team leader, project manager, and engineer with more than 20 years of experience in geotechnical investigations; analysis, design, and construction of dams and levees; inspection of dams, locks, levees, and CCR impoundments; and foundation engineering. He has extensive personnel management experience, and he has managed a wide variety of projects for large dam and levee owners such as the US Army Corps of Engineers, TVA, and various power utilities.

Experience

  • Tennessee Valley Authority (9 yrs 3 mos)
    • Senior Manager, Dam Safety Services
      Jun 2025 - Present · 1 yr 2 mos

      Manages and directs the day-to-day activities of the River Operations dam safety services organization. Manages maintenance, inspection and monitoring of all 49 high and significant hazard river dams. Provides and manages civil dam safety inspection, instrumentation services, and engineering services in support of the dam safety program including performance monitoring, engineering evaluations, and design engineering.

    • Senior Program Manager, Dam Safety Risk
      Jan 2021 - Jun 2025 · 4 yrs 6 mos

      Manages and leads the Dam Safety risk program by providing implementation, guidance, support and training for TVA on matters pertaining to Dam Safety Risk Management and Risk Informed Decision-Making (RIDM)

    • Manager, Dam Safety Governance & Oversight
      Oct 2019 - Jan 2021 · 1 yr 4 mos

      Leads development and implementation of Dam Safety policies. Advances the TVA Dam Safety Program by identifying process improvements, developing and leading continuous improvement initiatives, facilitating and promoting inter-group communication and cooperation, mentoring, training, and participating in industry groups.

  • Dam Safety Group Manager at Canary Systems Inc
    Sep 2015 - Apr 2017 · 1 yr 8 mos

    Managed the Canary Systems dams practice with a focus on integration of dam safety engineering, instrumentation, and monitoring solutions for dams, locks, and related infrastructure. Responsibilities included business development, operations, project management, and engineering.

  • ARCADIS U.S., Inc. (12 yrs 8 mos)
    • Associate Vice President, Dams & Locks Resource Manager
      Jan 2012 - Aug 2015 · 3 yrs 8 mos

      Managed the ARCADIS U.S. Dams & Locks business unit, which is a nation-wide multi-discipline engineering group focused on dam safety, design of new structures, and rehabilitation of existing dam and lock infrastructure. Clients included owners of state-regulated dams, federal agencies, and hydro-power utilities. The focus of the Resource Manager position included: - Providing strong technical skills in the areas of geotechnical engineering and dam safety - Innovative problem solving - Recruiting and motivating team members - Communication and team building with clients, subconsultants, and ARCADIS staff

    • Project Manager, Department Manager, Geotechnical Project Engineer
      2003 - Jan 2012 · 9 yrs 1 mo

      Project Manager and Department Manager of the Geotechnical and Dam Safety Department in Chattanooga, TN

  • Research and Development Engineer at Geoprobe Systems
    1998 - 2003 · 5 yrs

    Specializing in Cone Penetration Testing (CPT)