Management

Jan Hichert, Chief Executive Officer, has led Astaro since the company was founded in early 2000. Before Astaro, Jan consulted with software vendors and Internet service providers on IT security and open source business models. Jan studied business at the University of St. Gallen and computer science at the Technical University of Karlsruhe before becoming an entrepreneur.

Gert Hansen, Chief Software Architect, co-founded Astaro in early 2000. He was previously with the Internet service provider Plannet Systems and also co-founded the web development company Timenet, collecting extensive experience in both technology and entrepreneurship. Gert studied computer science at the Technical University of Karlsruhe. At Astaro, Gert is responsible for product strategy and software design.

Markus Hennig, Chief Technology Officer, co-founded Astaro in early 2000. Markus has over ten years of experience in open source and network security and is an active member of the Linux community. In his previous career, he was Chief Technology Officer of the Internet service provider Plannet Systems where he built up the company's managed security business. Markus studied computer science at the Technical University of Karlsruhe. At Astaro, Markus oversees all product development.

Günter Junk, Senior Vice President for Worldwide Sales and Marketing, joined Astaro in 2009 and is responsible for worldwide sales and marketing strategy. Before joining Astaro, Günter lead Swyx Solutions AG in his position as CEO. Under his leadership, Swyx was able to reach their current position as a market leader for IP telephony in Europe. In the years before his time at Swyx, Günter build up the German sales organization for Cisco Systems, became General Manager for Cisco Germany and was then elected as VP for European operations. Günter studied Communication Technology at the University of Cologne.

Richard Walford, Vice President Engineering, joined Astaro in 2008. Formerly Vice President research and development at SDL Tridion, Richard has extensive experience in the software industry. He has held senior management roles at Compuware, Softlab and Metier Management Systems, with responsibilities spanning both software and business development, including specifying, planning, developing, delivering, launching and selling complex software products on the leading edge of technology. At Astaro, Richard's is responsible for delivery of the Astaro product roadmap. Richard has a MA in engineering from Cambridge University, UK.

Ralf Haubrich, Vice President Central Europe, is responsible for the coordination of sales activities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Over the years, Ralf has gained a vast amount of experience through several management positions in the IT sales industry, such as Managing Director Sales & Marketing for toplink-plannet GmbH and Regional Sales Director DACH for Kneip Communication S.A. in Luxembourg. He joined Astaro in 2004 as Sales Director Central Europe and was appointed Vice President Central Europe in 2007. Ralf Haubrich is a Business Graduate and studied Business Administration at the University of Trier.

André Scheffknecht, Vice President EMEA, is responsible for the business development and sales activities across Europe, Middle East and Africa outside of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. André maintains over 8 years of experience in the appliance and security industry and co-founded Apligo, an appliance fulfillment company and one of Astaro's first OEM partners. He joined Astaro in 2005 as Sales Director and was promoted to Vice President EMEA in 2009. André studied Computer Science at the University of Karlsruhe and Business Economics at the University of Innsbruck.

David Rogers, Vice President Americas, joined Astaro in 2005, where he most recently led the Astaro Sales organization for the Central/West US Regions, Canada and the Astaro OEM Channel. Prior to joining Astaro, David was with Network Associates where he served as the Director of Sales Best Practices and Regional Director of Sales. David has also served in positions of ascending responsibility in the Sales and Engineering Management disciplines at Compaq Computer, Zenith Data Systems, Computervision and Prime Computer. David attended Johnson and Whales University and holds several technical certifications.

Guy Coles, Vice President Pacific Japan, joined Astaro in 2009 and is responsible for growth in the Asia Pacific Japan region. Since 1995, Guy has garnished valuable experience in the security industry through management roles with companies such as VET Anti-Virus and Computer Associates. He has been able to broaden his horizons through Senior Management positions with Network Monitoring Solutions, SoftGen Australia and Altiris (now known as Symantec). Being well-versed with Asia, Japan, Singapore, Australia and the Pacific basin, Guy brings a wealth of experience in team and channel management to Astaro.

Norbert Kiss, Vice President Asia, joined Astaro in 2009 and leads business development in Asia. Based in Singapore, Norbert has extensive experience throughout Asia Pacific, having worked and lived in this region for the past 16 years specializing in growing companies within the Asia Pacific region. Norbert has worked and held executive positions at companies such as Lexmark, Oracle, Geac and WatchGuard. Norbert holds an MBA from the University of Ottawa, Canada with a focus on Asia and is a graduate of the Columbia Business School’s Senior Executive Development program.