Alfred Mayer (politician)

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Provincial Councilor Fredy Mayer (1974)

Alfred "Fredy" Mayer (born March 5, 1936 in Bregenz ) is an Austrian former politician of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and was President of the Austrian Red Cross (ÖRK) from 1999 to 2013 . From 1974 to 1993 Mayer was a regional councilor in the government of the Austrian state of Vorarlberg . In addition to his voluntary work with the Red Cross, Mayer has had a seat on the audience council of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) since 2006 , where he is responsible for consumer concerns.

Life

Family and education

Fredy Mayer was born on March 5, 1936, the second son of Adolf and Maria Mayer in Bregenz. His father worked as a freight forwarder, his mother worked as the manager of a fashion house. In 1939 the family moved from the Vorarlberg state capital to Bludenz . There Mayer attended elementary school and secondary school. After graduating from high school in 1954, Fredy Mayer completed an apprenticeship as a banker at Sparkasse Bludenz.

Fredy Mayer has been married to Inge Mayer, née Zimmermann, since 1959.

Professional activities

Fredy Mayer worked at Sparkasse Bludenz from 1954 to 1974, most recently in a managerial position. Already at this time he began to get involved politically as a city councilor. The focus of these activities was on supporting cultural projects.

In 1974 Mayer was elected to the Vorarlberg state government. Until 1984 he was responsible for social affairs, health and environmental protection, then until 1993 for social affairs, health and sport. Many concepts from Mayer's tenure as regional councilor were adopted at the federal level. These include the introduction of a seven-tier care allowance, which later became care allowance , and the expansion of assistance for the disabled .

Activity in the Austrian Red Cross

Mayer's voluntary work with the Austrian Red Cross (ÖRK) began in Vorarlberg. There he was vice-president from 1978 to 1989 and from 1989 to 1999 president of the WCC national association. In 1999 he was finally elected President of the Austrian Red Cross. Under Mayer's leadership, the organization experienced a change in its external appearance. Since then, the WCC has not only positioned itself as a domestic service provider in the areas of rescue services and blood donation , but is also increasingly active in international aid projects and missions abroad. In addition, the WCC is also increasingly concerned with socio-political issues.

From 2004 to 2005 Fredy Mayer was entrusted with the management of the Civil Service Reform Commission, which analyzed the effects of a shortening or abolition of compulsory military service on civil service. On May 24, 2013, Mayer finally handed over the office of President of the Austrian Red Cross to his successor Gerald Schöpfer and was appointed Honorary President.

Awards

Fredy Mayer has been the holder of the Gold Medal of Honor of the State of Vorarlberg since 1993 . On May 8, 2006, Federal President Heinz Fischer presented him with the Great Gold Medal for Services to the Republic of Austria . On September 17, 2008, the Sovereign Order of Malta awarded Mayer the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit Pro Merito Melitensi . In 1995 he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order de Isabel la Católica .

Web links

Commons : Alfred Mayer  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. Challenge Red Cross. Festschrift for the 70th birthday of Fredy Mayer, President of the Austrian Red Cross. March 2006.
  2. List of all decorations awarded by the Federal President for services to the Republic of Austria from 1952 (PDF; 6.9 MB)
  3. Red Cross and Order of Malta: What is common comes before what divides