Meet Jim Bruckbauer
Chief Executive Officer
jim.bruckbauer@groundworkcenter.org | (616) 843-0419
Traverse City–where Groundwork’s Chief Executive Officer Jim Bruckbauer lives with his family– has received national recognition in recent years for livability, and that livability is precisely what the Bruckbauers experience every day.
“We just spend a lot of time walking around our neighborhood, playing at parks and beaches, heading downtown, and getting to know neighbors,” Jim says.
Those everyday experiences—seeing firsthand how rewarding a resilient community can be—help inspire his work at Groundwork.
“We support policies that enable this kind of life to happen,” he says. “We want to see more people able to live in town and get around without a car, eat locally grown food to build health and to protect our countryside, and generate clean energy that helps keep our air clean.”
As Chief Executive Officer, Jim guides Groundwork’s vision, strategic direction, and team as the organization works across Michigan to strengthen local food, energy, and transportation systems—practical changes that help families save money, kids eat better, and communities grow stronger while protecting the places people love.
Jim finds ongoing inspiration in the creativity and dedication of the Groundwork team.
“Our people are connectors–linking food, energy and transportation so communities can grow stronger. They’re conveners, bringing partners together to solve challenges no one sector can tackle alone. And they’re catalysts, turning big ideas into practical, lasting change that helps families and communities across Michigan. I love my job!”