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Katja was born and raised in Berlin. She received her MBA from Humboldt University Berlin and holds additional degrees in Industrial Engineering and Interior Design. Katja joined the GSA board in 2011. ”With two children at the German school of Atlanta it is important for me to support the school in every way possible.”
DIRK LOEFFLER - VICE PRESIDENT
Dirk was born and raised in Cologne, Germany. In 1992, he moved to the US to found the Loeffler Chemical Corporation in Atlanta. In 2019, he sold his company, but remains a consultant and is developing new business ventures and technology in the food and beverage industry. He lives in West Cobb with his wife and twin sons, who have been attending the GSA since they were 3 years old. Dirk has served and serves on several other boards including the Audi Club of Georgia and the Master Brewers Association of the Americas.
MARLENE DANIEL - REGISTRAR/ADMINISTRATION
Marlene has lived in Atlanta since 2005. She joined the German School in 2005 and started working for the school as the Registrar in 2006.
SUSANNE ESTRELLA - PRINCIPAL
Susanne was born in Wolfenbüttel and grew up in Harxbüttel. She received her MBA from the Leuphana University of Lüneburg. She joined the GSA Board of Directors in 2012, and the Faculty in 2013, and is the school’s Principal since July 2016. Further, Susanne is a faculty member in the Department of Foreign Languages, German Studies, at Kennesaw State University. Susanne lives with her husband and their two children in East Cobb and both of their children are attending the German School of Atlanta.
NADINE VAUGHAN - TREASURER & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Nadine Vaughan grew up in Magdeburg, Sachsen-Anhalt and earned her Bachelor in Business-Law from Anhalt University, Bernburg, Germany. She moved to the US in 2002 and has since continued her banking career with Wells Fargo Bank N.A. Nadine first came in contact with the GSA in 2009 when her daughter started in the Spielgruppe. She has served on the board since 2011.
CARSTEN ALTING - LEGAL COUNSEL & SECRETARY
Carsten Allting is a U.S.-German attorney/Rechtsanwalt who has been living and working in the U.S. since 1996. He is married and has 3 children. His work focuses on advising and assisting foreign companies, namely from Germany, doing business in the U.S.
JANICE OVERBECK
Janice Overbeck is an Atlanta native. She is married to a native German from Bremen, Germany. She earned her bachelor's degree in marketing with a minor in Spanish before obtaining a Masters in Business from Kennesaw State University. Janice and her husband, Gunar, have four daughters - they do attached the German School of Atlanta. They own a local business and reside in East Cobb.
MARKUS RIMMELE
Markus was born and raised in Ravensburg, Germany, and lives for more than a decade in the US. Professionally, he helps European machine builders with their projects and services in North America. He received his EMBA from Georgia State University in Atlanta and holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and Mechatronic.
FIRAS KHALIL
Firas Khalil was born in Rahden, NRW and grew up in Siegen, Germany where he received his Masters degree from the University of Siegen. He holds a director position in a german industrial conglomerate. Firas Khalil has been teaching at the GSA since 2018 and joined the board in 2021. He lives in Forsyth, is married and has two daughters.
PETER NOELLE - TECHNOLOGY & FUNDRAISING
Peter received his Masters degree from the Technical University of Berlin and holds a Director position in a professional services company. His ties to the German School go back to 1998 when his oldest daughter joined as a student. Peter has been a board member since 2002.
CHRISTINE TOMASEVIC - LIBRARY
Christine was born in Germany. She moved to the USA in 2011. Her three children attended the GSA and benefitted immensely from the German Language and cultural education at the German School. Christine volunteered her time in various areas and is currently responsible for library operations.
Board of Directors
DR. EIKE JORDAN
Co-Founder of the German School of Atlanta
PETER HALPAUS
Co-Founder of the German School of Atlanta
ALAN LEET
Former President of the German School of Atlanta
GABY BEYER
Former President of the German School of Atlanta
DR. HEIKE FULLER
Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany