AO Presidents

Current and past presidents of the AO

AO President Mark D Markel


Mark D Markel

University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, United States

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Mark D. Markel, a veterinary orthopedic surgeon and former dean at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, is the President of the AO Foundation. Markel has served as a UW-Madison faculty member since 1990, conducting research in comparative orthopedics focused on bone, tendon, and cartilage regeneration. He previously chaired the AO Research and Review Commission and served on the AO Foundation Board as Veterinary Expert. As the first veterinarian elected AO President, Markel brings over 35 years of experience in musculoskeletal research and education and is committed to advancing surgical innovation and patient care worldwide.


Past Presidents 1984–2025


Tim Pohlemann

2023-2025

Germany

Florian Gebhard

Florian Gebhard

2021-2023

Germany

Robert McGuire

2018–2021

United States of America

Nikolaus Renner

2016–2018

Switzerland

Suthorn Bavonratanavech

2014–2016

Thailand

Jaime Quintero

2012–2014

Colombia

Norbert Haas

2010–2012

Germany

Paul Manson

2008–2010

United States of America

Chris van der Werken

2006–2008

The Netherlands

James Kellam

2004–2006

United States of America

René Marti

2002–2004

The Netherlands

Peter Matter

2000–2002

Switzerland

Joseph Schatzker

1998–2000

Canada

Christopher Colton

1996–1998

United Kingdom

Siegfried Weller

1994–1996

Germany

Marvin Tile

1992–1994

Canada

Martin Allgöwer

1984–1992

Switzerland

Read more about AO governance

Assembly of Trustees

The Assembly of Trustees is the "AO parliament”

AO Executive Committee

The AO Executive Committee reports directly to the AO Foundation Board, and includes the CEO, CFO/COO and executive directors representing key areas of AO activity.

AO Foundation Board

Find out more about the AO Foundation Board, the AO's governing body.