1983, First state law examination; 1985, Second state law examination. 1986-99, Lawyer with special focus on business and labour law; 1987-2010, Member of the Hessian Parliament; 1993-99, Chairman, CDU parliamentary group in the Hessian Parliament; 1999-2010, Premier of the Federal State of Hessen. Since 2011, Chairman of the Executive Board, Bilfinger.