Founding member and first president the board of trustees
1998 – 2004
Founding President
On 1 January 1998, Theodor Fässler, took over the task of working with the board of trustees on the basis of the existing foundation charter to expand Gebert Rüf Stiftung into an institution with a sustainable impact. The following guiding principles applied: highly competent and efficient executive functions; administration and infrastructure based on the latest findings; policy and strategy designed to close gaps in existing research support; leverage effect in the use of resources; openness and transparency in the foundation's structure; cooperation with existing grant-making institutions. Asset management was also institutionalized on a professional basis.
The handover
On reaching the upper age limit set by the foundation charter after 7 years of expansion work and grant-making activities, Theodor Fässler handed over the chair of Gebert Rüf Stiftung to Rudolf Marty as of 1 January 2005.
Curriculum
Theodor Fässler studied mechanical engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, leading to a degree in management science und manufacturing technology. After a period of practical work outside Switzerland (including a spell working for General Electric in the US), he became chief assistant to the professor of management science at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. After obtaining a doctorate in technical sciences, he spent 36 years working in various hierarchical positions and functions, during which time he made a key contribution toward transforming Mikron from a family business into a globally active group in the field of automation technology and the manufacture of precision components. On reaching retirement age in 1997, he stepped down after 19 years of management responsibility as Chairman and CEO. He spent many years working on the SKU Advanced Management Program and held various directorships on the boards of well-known companies.