Born on 10 February 1954 in Traunwalchen; married, four children
1964 - 1973
Secondary school
1973 - 1978
Studied business studies at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU Munich)
1979
Honours degree in business; Research assistant to Prof. Dr. Arnold Picot at Hannover Technical University
1985
Conferred a doctorate in political science (Dr. oec. publ.) from the business studies department of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU Munich). Thesis topic: "Economic objectives and impacts of regional reform in Bavaria"
1977
Journeyman examination as a miller at the Stuttgart Chamber of Skilled Crafts
1980
Master craftsman examination as a miller at the Munich Chamber of Skilled Crafts
1972
Co-founder of the Pupils’ Union in Bavaria, joined the Young Union
1973
Joined the CSU
1973 - 1975
Local Chairman of the Young Union in Traunwalchen
1977 - 1979
Local Chairman of the Young Union in Traunreut
1979 - 1981
Deputy District Chairman of the Young Union in Upper Bavaria
1983 - 1987
District Chairman of the Young Union District Association in Traunstein
1983 - 1989
Deputy State Chairman of the Young Union in Bavaria; also Chair of the Working Group on Economic and Financial Policy during these six years
1985 - 1991
Local Chairman of the CSU in Traunreut
1978 - 1991 Member of Traunreut City Council
Since 1984
Member of Traunstein District Council
1984 - 1990
Member of the District Committee of Traunstein District Council
Since 1990
Member of the German Bundestag, directly elected for the constituency of Traunstein/Berchtesgadener Land
1998 - 2005
Parliamentary Secretary of the CSU state group in the German Bundestag
Since November 2005
Chairman of the CSU state group in the German Bundestag and First Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag
Since October 2009
Federal Minister of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs
