Born in1964. North Rhine-Westphalia/Aachen. Architecture Studies, FH Aachen. Since 1999 Mayor of Aachen. Since 1994 Member of Aachen City Council. Since 2001 Bureau Member CDU North-Rhine-Westfalia. Since 2002 Member of the regional board of the CDU Association for Local Affairs. Since 1999 Member of Euregio Council. MEP since 2009.