Curriculum Vitae

Born in Krumbach/Schwaben on 25 August 1955

Raised on his parents' farm in Schwaben

Married; two children

Master of Economic and Business Paedagogics

1980 to 1989:

Professional activity, last as policy officer (Oberregierungsrat) in the policy division of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, deputy press spokesman for the Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, Anton Jaumann

1987 to 1991:

Chair of the Young Christian Democrats for the Land of Bavaria

since 1993:

Deputy Chair of the CSU for the district of Schwaben

1978 to 1988:

Deputy Mayor and District Councillor

1989 to 1994:

Member of the European Parliament, member of the Agriculture Committee of the EU Parliament

since 1994:

Member of the German Bundestag, representing the constituency of Oberallgäu/Kempten/Lindau

Deputy chairman of the group of parliamentarians from the CSU in the German Bundestag, spokesman for foreign affairs and European policy, member of the Agriculture and Environment Committee (1994–1998), member of the EU, Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees

November 2005 to October 2008:

Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Horst Seehofer

November 2008 to December 2013:

Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Ilse Aigner

since December 2013:

Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development