After graduating as an inorganic chemist, from the University of Stuttgart in 1976, Franz Josef started his professional career as Project Manager for lithium battery systems at Varta Batterie AG., directing development and production in Germany and in Singapore Since 1983, he also had various executive positions within firms in the battery and related industries such as LTC/GAIA in Germany, Raychem, and SEEO in the Silicon Valley, and for PowerGenix Inc. in San Diego, CA and Shenzhen/China. He also supports Roland Berger as Senior Advisor, working predominantly on projects with the international battery and automotive industry. Finally, he has been engaged as Senior Consultant and later Head of the Business Unit Treopore Battery Separators at Treofan Germany GmbH. In January 2019, Franz Josef joined Stanton Chase Stuttgart as Senior Consultant. He provides an extensive project experience in all aspects of the battery industry. He has published over 60 technical papers and holds more than 80 patents and patent applications. Franz Josef is married and has one child. In his leisure time, he enjoys sports such as Tennis, Golf and Skiing. He holds a Doctor degree in chemistry and is fluent in German and English.