VDB sets course for the future: Andre Rodenbeck confirmed as VDB President. Dr Jörg Nikutta new Vice President for Innovation

The Presidium of the German Railway Industry Association (VDB) e.V. unanimously re-elected Andre Rodenbeck, CEO Rail Infrastructure of Siemens Mobility GmbH, as VDB President on 18 December 2020. Rodenbeck has been at the helm of the VDB since 24 July 2020 after then Michael Fohrer, former CEO of Bombardier Transportation Germany had suddenly quit.

Rodenbeck said: “I am looking forward to the continued close and trusting cooperation in the VDB Presidium for the shaping of the climate-friendly mobility of the future in and from Europe. On the rail out of the crisis and into the future – this is now the mission of the VDB. The railway industry is aware of its high responsibility for the Green Re-Start”, said VDB President Rodenbeck.

Andreas Becker, Managing Director of EPHY MESS (society for electro-physical measurement equipment), continues to represent the medium-sized railway industry as VDB Vice President. Dr Michael Bernhardt, Chairman of the Management Board of Rail Power Systems GmbH, remains VDB Vice President Infrastructure. And Jure Mikolčić, CEO of Stadler Pankow GmbH and member of the group management of Stadler Rail AG, who was elected in July 2020, was confirmed as VDB Vice President Vehicles.

The VDB General Assembly decided to reflect the mega topic of innovation even more strongly in the VDB Presidium. For this purpose the new position of VDB Vice President Innovation was introduced. The presidium unanimously elected Dr. Jörg Nikutta, spokesman of the management for Alstom in Germany and Austria, to this office. As VDB Vice President Innovation he will drive forward central growth trends for the railway industry. The fundamentally important future topic of digital security will also have an even more prominent role according to the will of the VDB Presidium with the appointment of Dr Christoph Hoppe, CEO of Thales Germany, as VDB spokesman for cybersecurity. The general meeting of the VDB had previously re-elected the entire VDB Presidium. With the election, the presidents are mandated for another three years.