PHOENIX CONTACT - Key Persons
Axel Wachholz, born in 1970, studied Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University Dortmund. He began his professional career in International Application Engineering at Bilstein in Hagen. He joined the consulting company Droege & Comp in Düsseldorf in 2000, where he focused increasingly on organizational, finance, and controlling issues.
From 2005 to 2011, he was responsible for Corporate Controlling and the Special Projects unit of the Executive Board at Benteler in Paderborn and Salzburg, before becoming the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of sanitation and heating company Viega in Attendorn, Westphalia, in 2011.
He has been the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and General Manager of Phoenix Contact since January 2018. In this role, Axel Wachholz is responsible for Finance, Controlling, Corporate Governance & Compliance, Taxes, and Law, as well as risk management and internal auditing.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Company in 2008 As General Manager
Colin Green joined the Company in 2008 as General Manager for the UK. He previously had gained experience with various sales leadership roles in Industrial Automation Markets since completing a Technician Apprenticeship in 1985.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Product Manager
Dirk Görlitzer, born in 1967, studied electrical engineering at the OWL University of Applied Sciences in Lemgo, and has worked at Phoenix Contact since 1994.
Dirk Görlitzer began his career as a product manager. In 1999, he was appointed Director of Product Marketing Connection Technology, in 2003, Director of the Business Unit Industrial Connection Technology, and in 2011, Director of the Industrial Components Division. Dirk Görlitzer has been the president and a member of the Board of the Business Area Industrial Components and Electronics (ICE) since 2016.
He has also been a member of the Phoenix Contact Executive Board as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) since August 2020. In this role, he is head of the Manufacturing Solutions division and the subsidiaries in China and India.
Frank Possel-Dölken, born in 1974, studied machine building at the Technical University of Aachen (RWTH Aachen). He has worked for Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co KG since 2008.
Frank Possel-Dölken began his career in 2000 as a research associate in the machine tool lab of the RWTH Aachen, where his most recent duties involved leading the Integrated Production Technology for High-Wage Countries excellence cluster. After joining Phoenix Contact, he held various management positions in the Machine Building and Tool Shop divisions for several years. As Vice President, he headed up the Corporate Technology & Value Chain division from 2016 to 2020.
He has been a member of the Phoenix Contact Executive Board as the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) since August 2020. In this role, Frank Possel-Dölken is responsible for the Digital Processes & Solutions, Digital Business Experience Management (digital customer interface and sales channels) divisions, and the central Innovation and IP Management.
Frank Stührenberg, born in 1963, studied Economics at Paderborn University, specializing in Business Informatics. He has worked for Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG in Blomberg since 1992.
Frank Stührenberg began his career in 1989 at Nixdorf Computer AG, Paderborn. In 1992, he moved to Phoenix Contact as an assistant to the Sales, Marketing, and Development Management Board. In 1995, he became head of International Key Account Management, and in 1998 headed up Sales in Germany.
In 2001, Frank Stührenberg was appointed to the Phoenix Contact Executive Board and has been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since January 2015.
Job Titles:
- General Manager of the Middle East Region
As General Manager of the Middle East Region, Iyad Madanat oversees the operations of our 3 subsidiaries located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Cairo. With a master's degree in electrical engineering, Iyad Madanat was appointed as General Manager of the Middle East subsidiary in 2010. His more than 30 years of operational experience includes working for international companies covering the Middle East, Northeast Africa, and the CIS Countries.
Jack Nehlig was named President of Phoenix Contact USA in November of 2001. He is responsible for Phoenix Contact's operations in the United States, comprising the U.S. sales subsidiary and the Group Center of Competence for the Americas. In addition to his U.S. responsibilities, he became a member of the Phoenix Contact Group Executive Committee in 2016.
Jack serves on the Board of Governors of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). He holds a B.S. in Industrial Distribution from Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y., and an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix in Arizona.
Originally from the U.K. and an electrical engineer by education, Roger has held senior management roles in the automation and controls industry, including stints with ABB, Siemens and Festo, in a career spanning Europe and Asia.
Job Titles:
- Experience Senior Executive
- Managing Director, Pacific Region
Rohan Hungerford is an experience Senior Executive, with 25+ years of experience within the Electrical engineering and Automation Industry. Rohan is a passionate entrepreneurial leader, with success in building high performing teams, coaching & mentoring sustainable growth and profitable success within SME's and Global Organisations.
Commencing his Engineering career in Telecommunications, Rohan worked in the design and installations of network infrastructure with Australia's "Big 3" Telco's, progressing in various roles from Project Engineer to National Technical manager. In the late 2000's and on completion of his bachelor's degree in business and marketing, Rohan successfully transitioned from project engineering to business, sales & marketing management, spanning ANZ and Global remits.
Rohan joined the Phoenix Contact Team in January of 2014, bringing his valuable experience and a clear focus on the development and implementation of Sales & Marketing strategies, whilst ensuring continuous improvements processes within all aspects of the ANZ operations.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Member of the Phoenix Contact Group Executive Board
Torsten Janwlecke, born in 1965, studied Electrical Engineering specializing in Communications Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences Bielefeld and Business Administration at the University of Applied Sciences Hamburg. He has worked for Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co KG since 2016.
Torsten Janwlecke has held various management roles during his career, in German and Japanese firms. He was a General Manager in the connector industry for more than 10 years before moving to Phoenix Contact. He has been President of the Business Area Device Connectors (DC) since 2016.
Torsten Janwlecke has also been a member of the Phoenix Contact Group Executive Board as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) since August 2020. In this role, he is responsible for the Business Area as well as the Quality & Product Compliance, Facility Management, and Metal Parts Production divisions. In addition, he coordinates the Group's sustainability activities.
Ulrich Leidecker, born in 1967, studied Control and Automation Technology at Paderborn University. He has worked for Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co KG since 1994.
Ulrich Leidecker began his career in 1994 as a sales engineer. Shortly thereafter, he took on managerial roles in Sales and International Key Account Management. In 2010, Mr. Leidecker became General Manager of Phoenix Contact Deutschland GmbH. He has been the president and a member of the Board of the Business Area Industry Management and Automation (IMA) since 2016.
He has also been a member of the Phoenix Contact Executive Board as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) since August 2020. In this role, Ulrich Leidecker is responsible for the Purchasing and Logistics divisions as well as the subsidiaries in the USA.