Matthias studied Mathematics and Computer Science at University Dortmund and University College Dublin and joined the localization industry in 1994. In those ten years he has been acting as a tools and process trainer, project manager and since 1999 Managing Director of Locatech GmbH in Germany.

Additional mandates include the position as a board member and General Manager of LCJ EEIG, a group of 4 localization companies in Europe which, according to Common Sense Advisory, ranks amongst the TOP 20 LSPs world-wide. Locatech is a founding member of LCJ (founded in 1999).

He has also served as a board member of TILP (The Institute of Localisation Professionals, Dublin) and as Deputy President and International Officer of JCI Dortmund (Junior Chamber International) between 2000 and 2004.

Matthias is a GALA board member 2006-07. He currently serves as GALA Secretary.

I have been a member of the GALA Board of Directors since January 2006. I am running for a second term in order to continue the path we laid out over the past two years and which has resulted in our GALA 2010 planning.

Hoping for the approval of the proposals to be made by the current board at this year's annual meeting, I would like to continue giving my support to the execution of that plan and working towards the achievements of goals we set therein. I am committed to leading GALA in fulfilling its four long-term goals of raising visibility, building resources, creating regional value and building a healthy organizational structure to support these programs.

GALA is by members for members. I feel that my continued participation on the GALA board will help to build on the things that we as GALA member companies have in common, for our association and our industry as a whole.