LECTURERS

Dennis Weiskamp

IT specialist, electronics technician, and master electrician specializing in energy and building technology, as well as a technical business economist (IHK). Many years of experience in elevator technology, including as a service technician. Managing director of a medium-sized elevator company.

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Franz Watzke

More than 30 years of experience with leading suppliers in the areas of design and development, as well as standardization and documentation.

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Harald Schwark

Studied electrical and energy engineering. He has worked in the elevator industry for almost 30 years, holding management positions as a technical business economist. He is the assembly manager of an internationally active, medium-sized elevator company. He is a trainer in adult education.

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Nikolai Thoma

Experience in programming and servicing machine tools. More than 30 years in the elevator industry, including approximately 20 years in management. Specialties include electrical engineering, IT, and service. Lecturer at the VFA since 2023.

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Thorsten Woitanowski

After studying microelectronics and micromechanics, he has held various management positions in the elevator industry for over 25 years, including as team leader for technical training at an elevator company. He is an author and lecturer in elevator technician training programs in Menteroda.

Dipl.-Ing. Anne Zerno

After studying automotive engineering, she worked for many years as an expert in the field of elevator testing. She has been supporting the VFA standards committee with her expertise since 2023.

Dipl.-Ing. Christoph Piorek

Technical Director at a medium-sized elevator and component manufacturer. He has worked in elevator construction for over 20 years. He is responsible for standards and regulations.

Dipl.-Ing. Günter Stoll

After studying electrical engineering, he spent 40 years in the elevator industry: team leader in control technology development, export manager/key account manager in elevator components sales at an elevator group, and sales manager and authorized signatory at a medium-sized company manufacturing frequency converters.

Dipl.-Ing. Patrizio Fontanarosa

Studied electrical engineering, 10 years of export sales experience at an international supplier of elevator components, shareholder and managing director. Specialized knowledge in the general overhaul of frequency converters for elevators from various manufacturers.

Dipl.-Ing. Raimo Hätälä

Management consultant and publicly appointed and sworn expert for elevator systems

Dipl.-Ing. Sascha Göbel

Graduated in mechanical engineering/construction engineering. He has worked for many years for medium-sized elevator manufacturers and for a drive technology group, where he worked on elevator technology tasks. He has been a lecturer at the VFA since 2013.

Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Birnbaum

Graduate engineer in mechanical engineering with a specialization in conveyor and elevator technology. Branch manager of an international manufacturer of elevator drives and elevators. Board member of the European Elevator Manufacturers Association (ELCA) and long-time member of various working groups within the VFA.

Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Lernet

After studying mechanical engineering, he spent 10 years in the design and development of technical products. Since 2000, he has been responsible for the technology and design of elevator doors.

Dipl.-Ing. Volker Sepanski

Graduate engineer in electrical engineering. After graduating, he spent seven years in the industry, responsible for testing elevator systems and conveyor technology. He then worked as an elevator expert for a testing organization and for many years as the technical director of the elevator inspection and testing system.

Dipl.-Ing. Wilmar Hey

After studying electrical engineering, he worked as a planning engineer for high-voltage systems and for technical testing organizations as an expert for the testing of elevator systems, as a building inspectorate-approved testing expert and as a VdS-approved expert for the testing of electrical systems.

Dipl.-Ing. Wolfgang Rösch

As a former supervisor at a professional association and former chairman in the field of lifts at the DGUV, he has many years of experience in the field of safety and health protection on construction sites as well as in adult education.

Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. Stefan Giehl

Since 1997, I have been working in the technology/construction department of a medium-sized component manufacturer.

Dr.-Ing. Tobias Brendel

Expert and specialist planner for elevator and conveyor technology. Member of the German Elevator Committee (DAfA), the VDI's Elevator and Conveyor Technology Specialist Group, and since 2010, Head and Deputy Head of the Elevator and Conveyor Technology Specialist Group of the VBI (Association of Consulting Engineers).

Fabian Würl

State-certified electrical engineer. Service team leader in elevator and conveyor technology and mechanics in facility management. Consulting regarding operator obligations for elevator systems as well as planning and organizing service and modernization projects through a service team.

Falk Zeiger

Master mechanic. Over 40 years of experience in various roles in elevator construction, primarily in modernization. Extensive experience in mechanics, control and regulation technology, consulting, and sales of modernization products and technical solutions.

Felix Karrasch

Master of Electrical Engineering and Business Administration B.A. As a master of elevator and conveyor technology in facility management, responsible for operator obligations for elevator systems as well as planning and organization of service and modernization services by a service team.

Hans Janik

Freelance lecturer in the elevator industry and for chambers of industry and commerce in the field of trainer qualification and master craftsman training.

Heinrich Uhe

After training as an electrician, he has held various management positions in the elevator industry for around 40 years. Since 2011, he has been a training manager for a Swiss component manufacturer.

Marcel Laube

State-certified mechanical engineer. Over 15 years of experience in elevator technology in various companies and functions. Managing Director of an elevator company.

Martin Jagemann

After studying energy and thermal engineering, he worked for many years at a testing organization as an elevator expert and auditor, as well as a specialist in internal training and continuing education. He was also technical director at a planning office for elevators and conveyor technology.

Matthias Nagorski

Bachelor of Arts in Electrical Engineering, working in all areas of elevator technology for over 25 years. He has been an elevator expert since 2018 and was publicly appointed and sworn in by the Dortmund Chamber of Industry and Commerce in 2022.

Miguel Gonçalves

Trained as an energy electronics technician/systems engineer. He has worked in the elevator industry for over 22 years, currently serving as Deputy Head of Sales, Service, and Modernization. Team leader for modernization and service contract management at an internationally active, medium-sized elevator company.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfram Vogel

Studied general mechanical engineering and received his doctorate in safety technology in elevator construction. Certified expert for elevator, rope, and lifting technology at the Stuttgart Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Since 2010, he has been a professor of elevator and lifting technology at Chemnitz University of Technology.

Ralf Heusser

Master electrician. Product manager for control technology since 2005, instructor in internal training courses. Lecturer at VFA since 2011.

Reiner Dummert

Master electrician with a trainer aptitude test and a technical business administration degree. He works as a safety manager in internal employee training at a large elevator company, as a lecturer at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Academy of Middle Franconia, and as a trainer for master craftsmen.

Robert Makarun

State-certified electrical engineer and business economist. He has worked in the elevator industry for more than 30 years. He is a self-employed specialist planner for elevator systems.

Sven Eibicht

Master of Electrical Engineering, working in elevator construction for over 10 years. Head of the Electrical Engineering department at a medium-sized elevator company.

Udo Niggemeier

Master electrician, business economist, and occupational safety specialist. Over 30 years of experience in elevator technology in various companies and functions. Specialist consultant for occupational safety and environmental protection with a focus on elevator construction.

Ulrich Nees

Expert in elevator ride quality measurements and evaluations. Energy consumption measurements of elevator systems. Training in measurement technology and applications. Lecturer at the Hamburg Chamber of Crafts, Department of Measurement Technology.