R. Scott Zimmer of Sarasota joined the Lutheran Services Florida Board of Directors in April.

Zimmer recently rejoined EchoStar International Corporation as Senior Vice President of Asian Operations. Formerly, he was employed as an advisor to Charlie Ergen, Chairman of EchoStar Communications Corporation.

Zimmer previously founded LEAP, a company that provides project management and implementation services for select technology companies. Expertise includes satellite and internet technologies; international distribution and manufacturing; strategic planning and implementation; and distributed education and training.

Before founding LEAP, Zimmer served as Chairman of EchoStar Satellite Corporation and Vice Chairman of EchoStar Communications Corporation. Zimmer was one of the early executives of the EchoStar group of companies and started EchoStar International Corporation, serving as its President for more than 10 years and overseeing offices located throughout Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Zimmer was responsible for the successful launch of EchoStar’s first satellite from Xichang, China.

Zimmer holds a Master of International Management degree from Thunderbird International Business School and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Teaching and East Asian Studies from St. Olaf College.

Zimmer has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin; The Joy Foundation, Glendale, Arizona; and The Zimmer Family Foundation.

Zimmer’s wife, Cheryl, is a teacher. They have four children.

Lutheran Services Florida is a statewide, nonprofit human services agency dedicated to helping all people in need regardless of religious affiliation, age or national origin. Headquartered in Tampa, the agency has more than 60 programs located throughout Florida. Since it was established in 1982, LSF has helped more than 800,000 children and families. LSF’s mission is to bring God’s healing, hope and help to people in need.