· ÖBAG representatives to become members of the Austrian Airlines governing bodies on November 3, 2020
· Christine Catasta & Christian C. Pochtler newly appointed to the Executive Board of Österr. Luftverkehrs-Privatstiftung (ÖLP)
· Catasta will also serve on the Supervisory Board of Austrian Airlines AG
· Karin Exner-Wöhrer resigns from the Supervisory Board of Austrian Airlines AG
Two representatives of the state holding company Austrian Holdings AG (Österreichische Beteiligungs AG - ÖBAG) have been appointed to serve on the Executive Board of Österreichische Luftverkehrs-Privatstiftung (ÖLP), the private foundation which holds a majority stake in Austrian Airlines (via the holding company Österreichische Luftverkehrs-Holding) in order to monitor compliance with the conditions laid down within the context of the financing package agreed upon with the Austrian government. The Supervisory Board positions will be held by Christine Catasta and Christian C. Pochtler, who will be the new Chairman of the Executive Board of ÖLP. Christine Catasta will also serve on the Supervisory Board of Austrian Airlines AG.
Catasta and Pochtler are the new ÖBAG representatives on the governing bodies of Austrian Airlines
Both representatives were nominated by Austrian Holdings AG (ÖBAG) for these positions, and their respective nominations were confirmed by the responsible Lufthansa representatives on October 27, 2020. The two new members of Austrian Airlines’ governing bodies will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the location requirements stipulated in the financing package. Karin Exner-Wöhrer has resigned from her position on the Supervisory Board of Austrian Airlines effective November 3, 2020. She has been a Member of the Supervisory Board since the middle of June 2019.
The Supervisory Board of Austrian Airlines AG continues to consist of six members. In addition to Ms. Catasta, Christina Foerster (Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board), Detlef Kayser and Veit Schmid-Schmidsfelden will remain on the Supervisory Board as shareholder representatives. The employee representatives are René Pfister and Rainer Stratberger.
“I would like to thank Karin Exner-Wöhrer for her consistently constructive cooperation in these very challenging times. At the same time, I am pleased that we will be able to welcome two proven economic experts to our governing bodies, namely Christine Catasta and Christian C. Pochtler as representatives of ÖBAG“, states Christina Foerster, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Austrian Airlines.
Christine Catasta (born 1958) is a certified public accountant and tax consultant. She serves as Director of Investment Management at the state holding company ÖBAG. She worked as Chairman & Senior Partner of PwC Austria until the end of June 2020. Ms. Catasta spent about 38 years at PwC, headed and built up its management consulting operations for many years, amongst other positions. Christine Catasta concluded her studies at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, majoring in accounting and auditing. In addition to her future Supervisory Board position at Austrian Airlines, she also serves on the boards of the utility company Verbund and Erste Bank der österreichischen Sparkassen AG.
Christian C. Pochtler (born 1952) has been the managing sole shareholder of Pochtler Industrieholding GmbH / iSi Group, Vienna, since 1984. He holds further supervisory board mandates with Austrian and German companies. Since September 2019, Pochtler has also been President of the Federation of Austrian Industry in Vienna. Pochtler studied business administration at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration and completed an MBA at Pace University in New York.