# Zachary Bookman

> Zachary “Zac” Bookman is the co-founder and chairman emeritus of OpenGov, the public-sector software company he led from a fragile 2012 startup to a platform used by thousands of government agencies. A former trial lawyer, Fulbright fellow, and anti-corruption adviser in Afghanistan, Bookman built his career around the unglamorous machinery of public administration: budgets, permits, procurement, accounting, and the trust created when those systems work.

- **Role:** Co-founder and Chairman Emeritus at OpenGov
- **Organizations:** OpenGov, Mt. Tamalpais College, Hoover Institution, Council on Foreign Relations, Young Presidents’ Organization, Keker, Van Nest & Peters, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, ISAF Anti-Corruption Task Force
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** BA in Government and Politics, University of Maryland, Master in Public Administration, Harvard Kennedy School, JD, Yale Law School
- **Known for:** Co-founded OpenGov in 2012 and led it for nearly fourteen years., Built OpenGov into a public-service software platform used by more than 2,000 government agencies., Completed a 3,400-mile bicycle ride across the United States in 2021 to meet local government leaders.

## Career timeline

- **2002** — Graduated from the University of Maryland and served as the student valedictory speaker at the campus-wide commencement.
- **2007-2008** — Studied transparency and corruption in Mexico as a Fulbright Fellow.
- **After law school** — Clerked for Judge Sandra S. Ikuta on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, then practiced trial litigation at Keker, Van Nest & Peters.
- **2012** — Advised General H.R. McMaster’s anti-corruption task force at ISAF headquarters in Kabul and co-founded OpenGov.
- **2016** — Represented OpenGov as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer at the Annual Meeting in Davos.
- **2018** — Named to the San Francisco Business Times 40 Under 40.
- **2021** — Completed a 3,400-mile cross-country bicycle ride to meet local government leaders and highlight civic service.
- **2024** — Led OpenGov through a Cox Enterprises majority investment that valued the company at $1.8 billion.
- **2026** — Stepped down as CEO on April 1 and became OpenGov co-founder and chairman emeritus.

## Achievements

- Co-founded OpenGov in 2012 and led it for nearly fourteen years.
- Built OpenGov into a public-service software platform used by more than 2,000 government agencies.
- Completed a 3,400-mile bicycle ride across the United States in 2021 to meet local government leaders.
- Recognized in connection with OpenGov as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer.
- Named to the San Francisco Business Times 40 Under 40 in 2018.
- Led OpenGov through Cox Enterprises’ 2024 majority investment at a $1.8 billion valuation.
- Served as a Fulbright Fellow studying transparency and corruption in Mexico.

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Transitioned from CEO to co-founder and chairman emeritus of OpenGov; Thiago Sá Freire became CEO.
- **2025-04** — Spoke at the University of Maryland’s Terps & Tech alumni reception about emerging technology and its broader impact.
- **2025-01** — Appeared on American Optimist to discuss OpenGov’s build, acquisitions, government efficiency, AI, and his cross-country bicycle trip.
- **2024-02** — OpenGov announced a Cox Enterprises majority investment valuing the company at $1.8 billion.

## Links

- Website: https://opengov.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharybookman
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/ZacBookman

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/zachary-bookman
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-22