Curriculum Vitae
Dirk Ahner
1946
Born in Lippstadt (Westphalia, Germany);
1953-1957
1957-1966
Primary school in Lippstadt;
Secondary school (Gymnasium) in Essen (Germany);
1966-1968
Military service (reserve officer);
1968-1972
University studies at the University of Bochum
("Ruhruniversität", Germany): economics/management/
communication ("Wirtschaftswissenschaften" mit Abschluss
Diplom-Ökonom und Wahlfach "Publizistikwissenschaft &
Kommunikation");
1972-1976
Postgraduate university studies in economics (Ruhruniversität
Bochum), doctoral thesis in labour economics (labour market
and wage structure -"Arbeitsmarkt und Lohnstruktur"); during
this period work as scientific assistant and one year of studies/
research work in France ("Laboratoire d'Économie et de
Sociologie du Travail"- CNRS, Aix-en-Provence); title
obtained: Dr.rer.oec.;
1976-1978
Work as research officer in the Institute for Applied Economic
Science ("Institut für angewandte Wirtschaftsforschung") in
Tübingen (Germany);
1978-2011
Official at the European Commission:
1978-1982: Administrator in the Directorate General
"Agriculture" (studies/statistical & economic analysis);
1982-1987: Member of the Group of Advisors (policy analyst)
to the President in the Secretariat General of the Commission
1987-1991: Assistant to the Director General for Agriculture;
1991-1998: Head of unit (policy analysis, development and
coordination) - DG Agriculture;
1998-2003: Director for economic analysis - DG Agriculture;
2003-2006: Deputy Director General for economic analysis and
rural development - DG Agriculture;
2007-2011: Director General for Regional Policy