Name: Gerhard Preisser
LC position: Consultant
Where are you originally from?
Weiden, Germany
Where do you currently live?
Manassas, Northern Virginia
How did you become a translator/interpreter?
Quite coincidentally. I graduated from my German alma mater, the University of Regensburg, with a degree in English and German (Staatsexamen) and followed that up with an MA in German from Penn State University. I was all set to embark on a university career, but then my wife and I found ourselves leading a military lifestyle with a lot of moves, which made it difficult for me to pursue my academic goals. After teaching at universities in the DC area for a few years, I started working at private language schools, one of which happened to also offer translation services. The rest, as they say, is history.
What are your areas of specialization?
I have always done a fair amount of work in the areas of printing and publishing, automation technologies, IT and other technical fields. In recent years, I have attempted to shift towards areas that require a greater deal of creativity and which I find more satisfying on a personal level, such as PR/advertising, training and testing, website localizations and others.
What do you like about ATA?
Besides providing a platform for demonstrating my professionalism and seriousness as a translator, the ATA has allowed me to create personal connections and have yearly face-to-face meetings with colleagues who have become treasured friends over the years.
Tell us about your position on the GLD Leadership Council.
After being the GLD List Moderator for 13 years, I am now one of three consultants for the Leadership Council, hoping to share my own experiences for the benefit of younger members.
Anything else you would like to share? (hobbies, interests, etc.)
I am fascinated by the world of food and wine; I am forever attempting to become better at preparing the former and more discerning at sampling the latter. One of these days, when I retire as an active translator, I hope to attend cooking and wine classes in places such as Napa, Tuscany and Bordeaux. Lately, I seem to have developed an inexplicable interest in gardening as well as a shocking ambition to try any vodka I can get my hands on. I am in therapy.