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.