March 26, 1958 born in Riedenburg, Germany

1978–1985 Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Forestry Studies; obtained a university degree in Forest Engineering

1988 Final State Examination at the Bavarian State Forest Agency

1990–1993 Project leader and external expert with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations for its forestry project (sustainable cork oak forest management) in Rabat, Morocco. Study trips to Sardinia, Spain and Portugal

1995–1999 Head of the Purchase and Logistics Department and of the cork business for a commercial enterprise in North Germany

1997 Forestry expert based in Tunisia for a project launched by the World Bank to enhance forestry management

1999–2002 Commercial representation of wine and champagne corks for Portuguese and Spanish manufacturers

since 2002 Budapest, Hungary

2002–2004 Head of the German GTZ office (the national technical co-operation agency for sustainable development with worldwide operations) in Szentendre, Hungary, in the framework of the project »capacity development of institutions to protect the environment in the regions of South and Eastern Europe«

seit 2005 Self-taught painter; specialising in landscape painting