# Gerald Pfeifer > CTO at SUSE and chair of the board of the openSUSE project **Wikidata**: [Q114059399](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q114059399) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gerald-pfeifer ## Summary Gerald Pfeifer is a computer scientist who serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at SUSE and chairs the board of the openSUSE project. His career spans leadership roles in open-source software development and technology management, with notable contributions to the GNU Project and various technical initiatives. ## Biography - Born: [date and place not provided in source material] - Nationality: [not specified in source material] - Education: TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) - Known for: Contributions to open-source software and technical leadership - Employer(s): SUSE (current), GNU Project (member) - Field(s): Computer science, open-source development, artificial intelligence ## Contributions Gerald Pfeifer has made significant contributions to open-source software development through various leadership roles. He served as Gnatsweb maintainer from 2000 to 2003, contributing to a bug-tracking system used in open-source projects. As CTO at SUSE, he guides the technological direction of one of the world's leading Linux companies. His role as chair of the openSUSE project board positions him at the helm of a major Linux distribution community, influencing the development path for thousands of developers and organizations worldwide. Pfeifer's involvement with the GNU Project further demonstrates his commitment to free software principles and collaborative development models. ## FAQs ### Q: What is Gerald Pfeifer's current professional role? A: Gerald Pfeifer serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at SUSE and chairs the board of the openSUSE project. ### Q: What open-source projects has Gerald Pfeifer contributed to? A: Gerald Pfeifer has contributed to open-source development as a maintainer of Gnatsweb (2000-2003) and is currently involved with the openSUSE project, GNU Project, and various other technical initiatives. ### Q: What organizations is Gerald Pfeifer affiliated with? A: Gerald Pfeifer is affiliated with SUSE (employer), the GNU Project, Divers Alert Network Europe, and the Austrian Society for Artificial Intelligence. ### Q: Where did Gerald Pfeifer receive his education? A: Gerald Pfeifer was educated at TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology). ## Why They Matter Gerald Pfeifer matters because he influences the direction of enterprise-grade open-source software through his leadership at SUSE and openSUSE. His technical expertise and governance shape critical infrastructure used by organizations worldwide, particularly in Linux-based systems. As CTO, he bridges the gap between commercial software needs and open-source development practices, helping maintain SUSE's relevance in a competitive market. His involvement with the GNU Project demonstrates commitment to software freedom and collaborative development that has influenced generations of developers and technologists. ## Notable For - Chief Technology Officer at SUSE, guiding technological strategy for a major Linux enterprise - Chairperson of the openSUSE project board, governing one of the most widely used Linux distributions - Past maintainer of Gnatsweb (2000-2003), contributing to open-source bug tracking systems - Member of the GNU Project, contributing to free software development - Professional connections to artificial intelligence and diving safety through organizational memberships ## Body ### Career and Positions Gerald Pfeifer currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at SUSE, where he guides the technological direction of the company. In addition to this executive role, he chairs the board of the openSUSE project, providing governance for one of the most prominent Linux distributions. Historically, Pfeifer served as the maintainer of Gnatsweb from 2000 to 2003, contributing to an open-source bug tracking system used by numerous projects. ### Education and Background Pfeifer received his education at TU Wien, also known as Vienna University of Technology. His academic background in computer science forms the foundation for his professional contributions to technology development and open-source initiatives. ### Professional Affiliations Pfeifer maintains multiple professional affiliations, reflecting his diverse interests and expertise: - Member of the GNU Project, demonstrating commitment to free software development - Member of Divers Alert Network Europe, indicating interests beyond pure technology - Member of the Austrian Society for Artificial Intelligence, showing engagement with AI ### Technical Contributions Beyond his leadership positions, Pfeifer has maintained a technical profile through various contributions to open-source projects. His work with the GNU Project spans multiple years, and his historical role as Gnatsweb maintainer represents hands-on technical contribution to software development. ### Digital Presence Gerald Pfeifer maintains a professional website at http://www.pfeifer.com/gerald/ where he shares information about his professional activities. He also has a presence on GNU Savannah with the username "gerald," indicating continued engagement with open-source communities. ## References 1. [GNU's Who](https://www.gnu.org/people/people.html#g) 2. [Source](http://www.pfeifer.com/gerald/)