AO Presidents
AO President Mark D Markel

Mark D Markel
University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, United States
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
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
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.