Born in 1952. Bergisch Gladbach (North Rhine-Westphalia). Secondary school teacher. 1975-1992, Town councillor, Leichlingen. 1985-2004, member of the North Rhine Westphalia (NRW) regional parliament. 1985-1991, school affairs spokesman. Deputy Group Chairman until 2000. From 1987, member of the CDU NRW regional executive. 1990-2007, Chairman, Rheinisch-Bergische CDU. From 2003, district Chairman, CDU Bergisches Land. 1991-2003, Secretary-General, NRW CDU. MEP since 2004.