Stefan Hoppe studied electrical engineering at the Technical University of Dortmund, Germany. Since 1995 he has worked for BECKHOFF Automation, starting as a software developer later as a lead Product Manager with focus on PC based Automation, connectivity and embedded software products. Stefan Hoppe is the OPC Foundation President and Executive Director since Nov 2018. Since begin 2015 he coordinated as Vice President the worldwide OPC expansion into the Internet of Things & Industrie4.0. Stefan has been the President of the OPC Europe organization since 2010 being the catalyst for initiating liaisons with other industrial consortiums that has resulted in OPC working groups developing companion specifications for the organizations respective information models.