WOMAN Named New Managing Director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna

For the first time in its more than 430 years’ history, the Spanish Riding School of Vienna will have a woman as its Director. Elisabeth Gürtler-Mauthner will be the Managing Director, responsible for strategy, sponsoring, marketing, and external representation of the Spanish Riding School. Mrs. Gürtler comes to the Spanish Riding School after serving for 17 years as managing director of the Sacher Hotel and Hotel Österreichischer Hof. The Gürtler family bought the Sacher property in 1934. Mrs. Gürtler has been active with the hotel and parent company, situated opposite the Viennese State Opera, since 1973, after obtaining a degree in economics. In 1994 she became a member of the board of the Austrian Hotel Association and was named Vueve Cliquot Business Woman of the Year. In 1995 she became vice president of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.For the past 8 years, she has also been chairlady of the Vienna Opera Ball.

Named as second Managing Director is Erwin Klissenbauer, who will be in charge of the operative and economic day-to-day tasks. Mr. Klissenbauer has been Manager of the Austrian Federal Forests and a supervisory board member of Dachstein Tourism AG.

Mrs. Gürtler and Mr. Klissenbauer will start their work on December 1.

---Dr. Delphi Toth