Robert Sisson Email & Phone Number

In 2019, I was nominated by President Trump and confirmed unanimously by the US Senate to the position of Commissioner, International Joint Commission. The Commission's duty is to prevent or resolve disputes concerning water along the 5,500 miles long border between the US and Canada--40% of which is water. During my tenure, I also served as US Chair from June 2022 to July 2023. The position requires strong diplomatic and negotiating skills, the ability to collaborate with a broad diversity of people, institutions, and governments, and to convert strategic thinking into action. With enthusiasm, I volunteered to represent the IJC at several international forums, including United Nations Water Conference, International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species (Belgium), International Rivers Foundation Annual Meeting (Vienna) and the US Government's International Technology Assistance Program at JUMPP (Japan-US-Mekong Power Partnership) conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.My background and experience is tailor-made for the role of Commissioner of the IJC. Prior to my nomination, I served for a decade as President of ConservAmerica, the oldest right-of-center energy, conservation, and environmental policy advocacy organization in the US. We launched the Roosevelt Conservation Caucus in Congress just prior to my confirmation. ConservAmerica develops and supports conservative, free market, and common sense solutions to existing and emerging problems in its fields of expertise.I was an elected city commissioner and mayor of a well-managed small city (Sturgis, Michigan) with domestic, waste, and storm water infrastructure and a municipal electric company. The city's electric company owned a FERC licensed hydro-electric dam on Michigan's St. Joseph River and a distribution network providing energy to thirty thousand people.As a commercial banker in the first third of my career, I worked with a broad range of businesses, ranging from machine shops to pharmaceutical to breweries. Agriculture--fruit orchards and field crops--are a major piece of the regional economy, and I developed expertise in irrigation methods and equipment.Throughout my career, I served as President or Vice President of local or regional economic development corporations. Deeply involved in my city's Sister City Program for years, I honed my diplomatic skills by leading multiple delegations on official visits to our German Partnerstadt.Currently seeking to leverage my expertise in the role on a corporate board of directors.

Listed skills include Community Outreach, Fundraising, Nonprofits, Public Speaking, and 18 others.