prof. ir. Roel Pieper

Roel Pieper obtained his engineer's degree from the Delft University of Technology, 1980, in informatics. After graduation, he worked for ten years for Software AG (both in Germany and in the United States). In the United States he worked for Unix System Laboratories of AT&T. In 1993, he became the president of UB Networks formerly Ungermann-Bass, a subsidiary of Tandem ComputersUB Networks was sold to Newbridge Networks succesfully in 1996 after Pieper joined Tandem Computers as CEO.

In 1995 Pieper became president and CEO of Tandem Computers where he was instrumental in repositioning the company. Under Pieper's leadership Tandem was sold to Compaq in 1997, and Pieper became a member of the executive board of Compaq. Pieper's reputation was boosted during his American period, where he established his credentials restructuring   companies that had run into trouble. His public image of someone who got faltering companies back on track was established.

Pieper returned to the Netherlands in 1998. For one year he was board member of the Dutch electronics giant Philips on an invitation by Cor Boonstra, then Philips' CEO. In 1998, together with ex-minister of economy Hans Wijers, Pieper set up Twinning, an incubator for starting entrepreneurs, particularly in the IT and especially the Internet sector. He has also set up StarChild (Sterrenkind), a project to introduce modern means of communication to sick children. Pieper is a 'Crown Fellow' at the Aspen Institute.

He is member of the board of directors of a variety of companies, including Computer Associates, General Magic and Quokka Sports. He is professor of E-commerce at the University of Twente, is fluent in French, German and a native speaker of Dutch and English. Roel Pieper is an expert on matching information/communication technology with business administration. He is a very popualr speaker on international conferences. His topics include netwerk systems, software, entrepreneurship and E-commerce.