Justus Zimmerman, incoming chief executive officer and executive director of the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
The Austin Symphony Orchestra in Texas has appointed Justus Zimmerman as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, effective February 1, 2025. Zimmerman joins the Austin Symphony following a tenure as executive director of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra (Indiana), where his achievements included building a marketing department that increased ticket sales by over 70% from pre-pandemic levels and reimagining donor relations to boost contributed income by nearly 90%. His reinvestment in community collaborations expanded the symphony’s reach. Zimmerman previously served as marketing director for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, where he pioneered digital-first marketing strategies that increased revenue. Zimmerman has collaborated with multiple organizations to strengthen community ties and inspire the next generation of music lovers. Zimmerman holds a bachelor’s degree from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. Zimmerman’s predecessor at the Austin Symphony was David Pratt, CEO and executive director from April 2021 to April 2024. Peter Bay is the Austin Symphony Orchestra’s music director and conductor.
