Studies in Economics, Political Science and History, University of Bonn and University of California, Los Angeles; 1987, Doctorate in Political Science, University of Bonn. Major, Reserve, German army. 1991, with MBB-Dasa; Director, Corporate Development and Technology, Dasa. With EADS: 2000, Chief Executive Officer, Defence and Security Systems Division; 2005, Chief Executive Officer. With Airbus: 2006, Chairman, Shareholders' Committee; August 2007, Chief Executive Officer, Airbus; since June 2012, Chief Executive Officer, EADS. President, German Aerospace Industries Association. Chair, Atlantik-Brücke. Interests: mountaineering, skiing, skydiving, private pilot licence for helicopters.