Native of: Celle, Lower Saxony, Germany
Industry: Medical Devices
Region: Austin
Tell us about your career at Ottobock.
I joined the company in 2010 as CFO for North America. In 2014, I was promoted to the additional responsibility of Regional President.
Tell us about your career outside of Ottobock.
I joined Ottobock after a 15-year career in various financial roles at the Dow Chemical Company, primarily in the plastics division.
I have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and business administration from the University of Applied Sciences Offenburg in Germany. I also have an executive MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
What is your view of the business climate in Texas?
Our North American headquarters was located in Minneapolis, Minn. We wanted to escape the shadow of larger medical device companies and attract talent in a smaller, growing city.
We chose Austin over Nashville, Tenn., because its downtown development was more attractive and we knew that offered better opportunities to find top-notch people.
Why did you join YTEXAS?
I thought it was a great opportunity and strong platform to connect to other businesses in Texas, learn from them how they managed to grow and thrive here, and then to give back to newcomers.
What makes Ottobock different?
We’re very innovative in terms of technology and entrepreneurial in terms of our business model. We have a great purpose, which is helping people maintain or regain their freedom of movement.
What issues are affecting Ottobock that concern you?
Reimbursements by health care insurers and the federal government are declining. This is a big topic for our customers.
More cuts in health care spending will negatively affect patient outcomes. This means they won’t get the best technology to return to the life they’re accustomed to.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
I actually fell in love with Texas earlier in my life, when I lived in Houston from 2004 to 2006.
