Werner Geissler
Werner Geissler (born 1953) is a German businessman, based in the United States.[1][2][3][4]
Biography
Early life
Werner Geissler was born on April 25, 1953 in Hachenburg (Heuzert), Germany.[3] After graduation from the Gymnasium Marienstatt in 1972, he joined the Air Force. He received an M.B.A. (Diplom-Kaufmann) from the University of Cologne in 1979.[2][3]
Career
He joined Procter & Gamble as Assistant Brand Manager shortly after graduation in 1979.[3][4] He was Brand Manager of Mr. Clean in 1982 and Pampers in 1983.[3][4] He was Marketing Manager of Procter & Gamble Germany from 1985 to 1988 and Marketing Director of Procter & Gamble Netherlands from 1988 to 1989.[3][4] Back in Germany, he was Category Manager of Detergents from 1989 to 1991, and General Manager of Cosmetics and Fragrances from 1991 to 1994.[3][4] He was Vice President and General Manager of Fine Fragrances for the Western Hemisphere from 1994 to 1996, Vice President and General Manager of Tissue/Towel and Cotton Product for Middle East and Africa from 1996 to 1997, Vice President and General Manager of Laundry, Cleaning and Paper Products for the Middle East and Africa from 1997 to 1998, Vice President and General Manager for Turkey/Caucasia/Central Asia from 1998 to 2001, President for Northeast Asia from 2001 to 2004, and Group President for Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa from 2004 to 2007.[3][4] Since July 2007, he has been Vice Chairman of its Global Operations.[1][3][4] He has announced his retirement from the P&G Company effective December 31, 2014 after more than 35 years of service. Geissler will become an Operating Partner at the Private Equity Company Advent International, effective January 2015.
He sits on the Board of Directors of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Philip Morris International, and he is a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.[1][3][4] He has been an Advisor to the Governor of the Hyōgo Prefecture in Japan.[4]
He serves on the Supervisory Board of the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland, on the Management Board of GS1, on the Summit Committee of the Consumer Goods Forum.[4][5] He is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from the International University in Geneva.[3] Geissler is also a member of the BoD of economiesuisse. In 2013, Geissler was appointed Visiting Professor at CELAP/Shanghai.
Personal life
He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, where Procter & Gamble is headquartered.[3] In 2012, he served as International Chair of the World Choir Games.[3] He is married to his wife Sabine and has 2 daughters, Anna and Lena.