Thomas Middelhoff is a Member of the Executive Board of Bertelsmann AG and head of Corporate Development and Coordinator of Bertelsmann's multimedia business. Dr. Middelhoff is designated to become Chairman and CEO of the Corporation. He presently also serves on the Board of America, Online, Inc. Born in Dusseldorf, Dr. Middlehoff received his MBA from the Institute of Marketing at the University of Musnter, Germany. He has served as the Chairman of the Board of Managing directors of Mohndruck Graphische Betriebe, GmbH and has been associated with the information technologies sector and New Media projects since the 1980's.