Farewell to our CEO Dr. Michael Fritz – A Visionary Who Shaped tekom Europe

Switching tracks to new adventures*: At the end of April, Dr. Michael Fritz left tekom Europe after many years of dedicated leadership. His departure is a good opportunity to look back, reflect on, and celebrate the key milestones in tekom Europe’s development.

Michael was the visionary force behind the strategic development of tekom Europe from its earliest beginnings. He played a key role in building the foundation of a truly European network for technical communication, guiding its growth far beyond the German-speaking regions.

The journey began with the establishment of the first country organizations outside the German-speaking countries in Europe, starting in 2009 with tekom Romania. This pioneering phase laid the groundwork for what would later become tekom Europe, formally founded in 2013. The expansion of the network continued steadily, most recently with the establishment of tekom Ireland in 2023.

As CEO, Michael significantly advanced tekom Europe both strategically and substantively. He not only shaped the organizational structure and growth of the network but also drove the development of new content and initiatives for technical communication through publications, whitepapers, roadshows, and conferences. He established tekom Europe as a stakeholder in international standardization committees and significantly enhanced its visibility. 

Beyond structures and strategy, Michael consistently focused on building a strong and connected European community. With his deep expertise in technical communication and his close attention to industry developments, he was often ahead of emerging trends and continuously worked to create relevant initiatives, projects, and offerings for members and professionals across Europe. He actively promoted knowledge sharing, education, and training, always with the goal of strengthening both the profession itself and the profile of technical communicators within an evolving European and international landscape. Michael also played a key role in establishing tekom Europe as a stakeholder in Brussels and advancing its lobbying efforts at the European level.

On a personal level, Michael reflects on his time at tekom Europe:

“The most rewarding experience during my time at tekom Europe was the opportunity to work with so many people who dedicated themselves to a common cause with both high professionalism and deep personal integrity. Together, we moved things forward on a foundation of friendship and, I must say, with a great deal of joy. 
My heartfelt thanks go to my internal staff for their unwavering commitment, immense competence, and loyalty throughout the years. I have to confess, I'll really miss you guys!”

His impact is also deeply felt within the organization. The tekom Europe community manager, Susanne Lohmüller, who worked closely with Michael, reflects on this collaboration:

“Working with Michael over a total of 8 years has been an enriching experience. Working with a strategist and visionary like him meant having both the freedom to contribute ideas and the guidance of a strong mentor. He recognized trends and industry needs, as reflected in his latest contribution: the manifesto and business plan, which he developed with the executive board and further shaped with the involvement of the delegates. tekom Europe is a community – one that Michael helped build – and I thank him for the trust he placed in me over the years and for encouraging me to grow into new responsibilities within tekom Europe.”

With Michael’s departure, tekom Europe says goodbye to a leader who has profoundly shaped its identity and development. At the same time, he leaves behind a strong foundation and a European network that continues to grow in the spirit of his vision.

The next stop: new adventures

We extend our sincere gratitude to Michael for his dedication, leadership, and lasting contribution to tekom Europe.

*A passionate hobby of Michael’s is model railways. 😊