Who is Thorsten Heins?
Posted Jan 24, 2012 05:29:13 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – Thorsten Heins managed to keep a fairly low profile during his four years at Research in Motion.
But now the 54-year-old is in the spotlight after being named RIM’s new C-E-O — and people are scrambling to find out more about him.
Marcus Breitschwerdt is the president of Mercedes-Benz U-K and one of Heins’ long-time friends.
He says Heins is a man of action who can turn the Waterloo, Ontario-based BlackBerry maker’s fortunes around.
He says Heins has the mix of scientific and social skills to connect with new BlackBerry customers and give them what they want.
Heins was born in Germany and has a masters in Physics from the University of Hannover.
He worked at Siemens for 23 years before joining RIM’s handheld business unit in 2007 and rising through the ranks.
This is an excerpt from the bio on Heins from the Research in Motion website.
“…(Heins) previously served as Chief Operating Officer, Product Engineering, overseeing the BlackBerry smartphone portfolio world-wide.”
“Prior to joining RIM in 2007, Thorsten held several positions in the wireless arena including the Chief Technology Officer of Siemens’ Communications Division and several general management positions in Hardware and Software businesses.”
“Thorsten holds a master’s degree in Science and Physics from the University of Hannover in Germany. Thorsten also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc.”
Skeptics wonder if Heins has the forceful personality needed to revitalize RIM, which has struggled to lure new customers in recent years.
Outside of work, Heins is married with two adult children.
