«I PREFER TO REMEMBER THE FUTURE.»
Salvador Dalí (1904-1989)
Brief profile
Josef Felder (April 25th, 1961) was CEO of Zurich Airport Ltd from 1998-2008. Today, he works full time as an independent board member of several companies.
During his many years as CEO of Zurich Airport Ltd, Josef Felder and his team wore many hats and faced many extremely demanding situations. He managed the company through its privatization and – in spiteof many setbacks – set Zurich Airport on the road to success. Swiss travel manager magazine chose him as Personality of the Year 2008 ‘’for his achievements, his commitment and his pioneering vision’’. Before joining Zurich Airport, Josef Felder, worked for 10 years in a senior capacity at Crossair for European regional air transport.
Before that, he gained professional experience in the automotive sector, in international trusts, the raw materials business, and in real estate.
Josef Felder graduated with a Swiss federal diploma in accounting and controlling, completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP) at Harvard Business School in 2007 and in 2020 a CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) at IFZ (Institute of Financial Services Zug) of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
In 2019 he was promoted to the honorary member of the largest Children Foundationin Switzerland, Pro Juventute.
Strengths and Competencies
- Operational and strategic management with operational excellence
- Good judgement, assertiveness and efficiency
- Clear understanding of the different roles on the Board of Directors – president, vicepresident, chair of Committees
- Member of the Board of Directors in listed companies, family businesses, semi-publiccompanies, SME’s and international corporations in Switzerland, Europe and Taiwan
- Customer Journey, multi channelling
- Leadership in major change processes, crisis-tested and experienced in change management and cultural change
- Strategic development on all levels of management including strategic development and implementation
- Consumer market / high tech / industry / production
- Regulation, compliance, corporate governance, foundation governance
- Supervisory and strategic management experience in non-profit organisations
Curriculum vitae (PDF)
Education
| 2019–2020 | CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) for Board of Directors at IFZ (Institute of Financial Services Zug) of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts |
| 2006 | Graduate of Harvard Business School, Boston AMP (Advanced Management Program) |
| 1987–1989 | Program leading to title of State Certified Accountant / Controller |
| 1984–1987 | Program leading to title of Accountant with State Accreditation |
| 1983 | Greater Montreal Language School Certificate Intermediate Level |
| 1981-1982 | Higher Certification in the Retail Trade |
| 1978–1979 | Program leading to title of State Certified Retail Trade Employee |
| 1976–1978 | Training to State Certified Salesman |
Career
| since 2008 | Independent Member of Company Boards |
| 2000–2008 | Unique, (Zurich Airport AG), Zurich: CEO |
| 1998–2000 | Airport property Company, Zurich: CEO and designated Project Leader Privatization Project, Zurich Airport |
| 1996–1998 | Crossair Limited Company for Regional European Air Transport, Basel: Executive Vice President & General Manager Product Management |
| 1993–1996 | Crossair Limited Company for Regional European Air Transport, Basel: Vice President, Accounting & Administration |
| 1989–1993 | Crossair Limited Company for Regional European Air Transport, Basel: Manager of Department, Accounting & Administration |
| 1987–1989 | Marc Rich & Co AG, Zug: Trading Company, Assistant to the Head of Accounting |
| 1986–1987 | Hapimag AG, Baar: Tourist Company, Accountant |
| 1984–1986 | von Flüe Treuhand AG, Zug: Trust Company, Accountant |
| 1980–1983 | Köchli & Tschopp AG, Littau-Luzern: Car Dealer, Assistant to the Commercial Director |
Current mandates
| since 2021 | Musikpunkt Hug Holding AG, Luzern: Chairman of the Board of Directors | www.musikhug.ch |
| since 2021 | Schifffahrtsgesellschaft Vierwaldstättersee (SGV) Holding AG, Luzern: Chairman of the Board of Directors (since 2022) | www.sgvgruppe.ch |
| since 2021 | Knie Holding AG, Rapperswil-Jona: Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors (since 2023) | www.knie.ch |
| since 2017 | Flughafen Zürich AG, Kloten: Chairman of the Board of Directors (since 2023) | www.flughafen-zuerich.ch |
| since 2008 | AMAG Group AG Cham, and subsidiaries: Vice-President of the Board of Directors | www.amag.ch |
| since 2008 | Careal Property Group AG, Zurich: Member of the Board of Directors | www.amag.ch |
| since 2008 | Felder & Company AG, Lucerne: Chairman of the Board of Directors | www.josef-felder.ch |
| Honorary Member of the Foundation Pro Juventute |
Previous mandates
| 2017 - 2022 | Friends of Einsiedeln Abbey, Einsiedeln: Member of the Board of Directors |
| 2015–2020 | Stöckli Swiss Sports AG, Malters: Chairman of the Board of Directors |
| 2012–2018 | Zino Davidoff S.A., Fribourg: Chairman of the Board of Directors |
| 2011-2020 | Flaschenpost Services AG, Zurich: Chairman of the Board of Directors |
| 2011–2019 | swissVR, Zug: Founding Member and board Member |
| 2011–2016 | The Nuance Group AG, Zurich: Chairman of the Board of Directors |
| 2010–2014 | Zingg Lamprecht AG, Zurich: Member of the Board of Directors |
| 2009–2014 | Victoria Jungfrau Collection AG, Interlaken: Member of the Board of Directors and the Strategic Committee |
| 2008 - 2022 | Luzerner Kantonalbank AG, Lucerne: Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors |
| 2008–2020 | Edelweiss Air AG, Zurich: Member of the Board of Directors |
| 2008–2019 | Pro Juventute, Zurich: Chairman of the Board of Trustees |
| 2008–2019 | HolzPOWER GmbH, Hohentannen: Shareholder and Member of the Executive Committee |
| 2008–2010 | Schultess Group AG, Hombrechtikon and subsidiaries in Germany and Denmark: Chairman of the Board of Directors |
| 2007-2022 | HTC High Tech Computer Corporation, Taipei, Taiwan: Member of the Board of Directors and of the Finance Committee | www.htc.com |
| 2004–2008 | AEROSUISSE, Bern: Member of the Executive Committee |
| 2003–2008 | Zurich Tourism, Zurich: Member of the Board |
| 2001–2008 | SIAA Swiss International Airport Association, Zurich: Chairman of the Executive Committee |
| 2001–2008 | ACI Airports Council International, Brussels, Belgium: Member of the Executive Committee |
| 2000–2003 | Skyguide swiss air navigation services ltd. Geneva: Member and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors |
| 1999–2002 | Novo Business Consultings AG, Bern: Member of the Board of Directors |
| 1993–1998 | Crossair Catering AG, Basel: Member of the Board of Directors |
| 1991–1992 | Tatra Air Ltd, Bratislava, Slovakia: Member of the Board of Directors |