Robert Menzimer, Neighbor

Robert Menzimer is executive director of the nonprofit Community Alliance for Learning (CAFL), which administers the WriterCoach Connection (WCC) literacy program in East Bay public schools.

Writing has filled his life since he composed his first short story in pencil on a sheet of white tablet paper in third grade. From the Broadcast Journalism program at the University of Illinois, he began ten years in radio, as an announcer, news writer, producer, and program director. In 1984, he joined the information services company Meganews, Inc. as program director, supervising writers, editors, voice talent, and computer programmers and becoming president of the company in 1988.  His background as a freelance writer includes clients in education, marketing, and health care, and his work as a private tutor includes support in English, writing, and SAT preparation for students from elementary school through adults. He served for two years in the Peace Corps, working as a public health technician and teaching English to elementary-school students in Bolivia.

His association with Community Alliance for Learning began when he signed on as a WriterCoach Connection volunteer  in 2004. Thereafter, he served for a year as the WriterCoach Connection site coordinator at Albany High School before becoming the Community Alliance for Learning executive director in July of 2006.