Klaus Dieter Frers, Founder and CEO

A graduate in Mechanical Engineering, Klaus Dieter Frers began his career in various positions firstly at AEG-Telefunken in Frankfurt am Main and Seligenstadt and subsequently from 1983 to 1987 at Nixdorf Computer AG, where he was Production Director at the electronics plant in Paderborn. Klaus Dieter Frers founded paragon electronic GmbH in 1988 and paragon AG in 1999, into which paragon electronic GmbH was merged following flotation. Klaus Dieter Frers has received numerous awards for his entrepreneurial activity, e.g. the "Oskar des Mittelstands" from the Oskar Patzelt Foundation in 2000, a nomination as "Entrepreneur of the Year" from Ernst & Young in 2006, the "Premier" award from the Oskar Patzelt Foundation in the same year and in 2010 the "Plastics Oscar" from SPE Central Europe. As Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Klaus Dieter Frers is responsible for business strategy and development.

Dr. Martin Esser, CFO

Dr. Esser studied business administration at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, where he also received his doctorate. From 2000 to 2010, he worked as an auditor/tax consultant at Warth & Klein Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft in Düsseldorf and Susat & Partner Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft in Cologne, before moving to the automotive supplier Neapco as CFO. Since 2020, Dr. Esser is a member of the management team at paragon as CFO and responsible for finance, IT and human resources.

Carsten Roch, CTO

After studying computer science (engineering) at the University of Dortmund, Mr. Carsten Roch worked for various companies in the telecommunications industry. He then moved to Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA for 19 years, where he most recently held global business responsibility for the Automated Driving/Driving Assistance Systems division as Senior Vice President. Since 2023, he has been CTO at paragon, a member of the management team and responsible for the divisions.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Iris Gräßler, Supervisory Board Chairwoman

Professor for product engineering, Fakulty for Mechanical Engineering, Heinz Nixdorf Institute University Paderborn-13 years professional experience in product engineering at Robert Bosch GmbH, business unit automobile electronics.

The detailed Curriculum vitae of Prof. Dr.-Ing Iris Gräßler can be found [here].

Hermann Börnemeier, Vice Supervisory Board Chairman

Tax consultant and Managing Director of Treu-Union Treuhandgesellschaft mbH, Paderborn.

The detailed Curriculum vitae of Mr. Hermann Börnemeier can be found [here].

Walter Schäfers

Attorney and partner at Partner Societät Schäfers Rechtsanwälte und Notare, Paderborn.

The detailed Curriculum vitae of Mr. Walter Schäfers can be found [here].