Christopher Mattheisen, Former Chairman & CEO, Magyar Telekom
- 8 Jan 2009 11:00 AM
Born in 1961. Degrees in economics from Indiana University, Bloomington and Columbia University, New York. First came to Hungary in 1990 to start consulting company for business analysis and strategic planning. From 1993 to 1996 was the founding Marketing and Sales Director of Westel 900 (later T-Mobile Hungary).
From there moved on to Poland to participate in launching Era GSM for US West International as Director of Marketing, Sales and Strategy. From 1997 to 1999 headed up in London US West's (later MediaOne) marketing and sales activities for its European mobile subsidiaries. Subsequently served at BT Cellnet as Business Marketing and Sales Director.
From September 2002 was member of Magyar Telekom's Management Committee and Chief Officer responsible for Residential Services. From January 2005 to June 2006 served as Chief Operating Officer leading the Wireline Services line of business (T-Com). Appointed Magyar Telekom's Chief Executive Officer from December 6, 2006 and elected member and Chairman of the Board of Directors on December 21, 2006.
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
January 1990 - the fall of the Berlin Wall and communism.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
London, Warsaw.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
The Easter tradition of spraying women. What's up with that?
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
Ride the funicular to the Castle District and visit one of the baths.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Savanyú borjú tüdö - seriously, bográcsgulyás.
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Black currant or pear juice.
7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Megszentségteleníthetetlenségeskedéseitekért.
8. What do you miss the most from home?
Breakfast in greasy diners with a big, fat Sunday newspaper.
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Cartoonist for the New Yorker.
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Mortician.
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Rome.
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
China.
13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Band: The Clash.
Film: Dr. Strangelove.
Hobby: Model airplanes.
14. What can't you resist?
Temptation! Seriously, coffee is my weakness.
15. Red wine or white?
Red.
16. Book or movie?
Movie.
17. Morning person or night person?
Morning - I'm in the office by 7:30 usually.
18. Dog person or cat person?
Dog and person person.
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Buda.
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Do at least one thing every day that scares you.
Click here to read his 2nd interview