Author Talk: Former AGCO Chairman and CEO Martin Richenhagen Discusses ‘The America Whisperer’ at the Goethe-Zentrum

Doing business in the world’s largest economy can be hard, especially as an outsider. Martin Richenhagen, the longtime chairman and CEO of Atlanta-based tractor manufacturer AGCO Corp., and former Chairman of the German American Chamber of Commerce Southeast (GACC), used his deep corporate experience and hard-won cross-cultural expertise to crack the code on working with Americans, for a time serving as the only German-born chief executive of a Fortune 500 company and leading the global enterprise to new heights. 

Join Global Atlanta, Goethe-Zentrum Atlanta, and the German American Chamber of Commerce Southeast, for an interactive discussion with Mr. Richenhagen on his German-language book, Der Amerika-Flüsterer: Mein Weg vom deutschen Religionslehrer zum US-Topmanager (The America Whisperer: My Journey from Religion Teacher to U.S. Executive). In conversation with Managing Editor Trevor Williams, Mr. Richenhagen will reflect on his personal experiences while offering thoughts on the current transatlantic business and trade climate. 

While the meat of the discussion will be in English, welcoming remarks will be offered in German, along with readings in German from the text and a bilingual Q&A — Mr. Richenhagen will answer in the language in which the question is asked —  in keeping with the spirit of the book and the mission of the Goethe-Zentrum, Atlanta’s German cultural center and language institute, which will hold a grand opening on its new downtown offices just days before our event.

In addition to his German roots, Mr. Richenhagen is a fluent French speaker who has been knighted by the French government for his contributions to the spread of French language and culture. That’s a fitting connection, given that the Goethe shares space with the Alliance Française d’Atlanta. 

A portion of the proceeds and donations collected via the form will go toward furthering German language education in Atlanta.

This event is part of Global Atlanta’s Authors Amplified series, sponsored by the Atlanta Global Studies Center.

Light bites/drinks will be provided. 

About the Book

In The America Whisperer Dr. Richenhagen recalls his roots in postwar Cologne and the character traits that contributed to his long and successful career in the United States. As a prominent proponent of strong German-American ties, Dr. Richenhagen shares his views on the transatlantic relationship and corporate responsibility as well as his outlook for the 2021 German federal election.

About the Author

Martin Richenhagen was the first and for many years the only German CEO of a US Fortune 500 company. Born and raised in Cologne, he studied theology, philosophy and worked as a French teacher before he changed fields and started a successful international business career. 

From 2004 to December 31, 2020,  Mr. Richenhagen was the chairman, president and CEO of the Atlanta-based agricultural equipment manufacturer AGCO Corporation, which sells its products under the well-known brands Challenger®, Fendt®, Massey Ferguson®, Valtra® and GSI®.  Mr. Richenhagen is the industry expert on all agribusiness matters and frequently speaks at conferences, universities and business summits. 

Mr. Richenhagen currently serves on the Board of Directors of PPG Industries, Linde PLC, Daimler Truck Holding AG and Stihl AG. In 2008, Mr. Richenhagen was appointed Honorary Professor to the faculty of agricultural machinery at the TU Dresden, Dresden University of Technology (Germany) and in 2016, he received an honorary Ph.D. from Szent István University in Gödöllő, (Hungary).  

As of May 1, 2020, Mr. Richenhagen serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies at Johns Hopkins University (AICGS). He served as the Chairman of the German American Chambers of Commerce of the US (GACCs) and is a former member of the President’s ‘Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa’. 

Born in Cologne, Germany, in 1952, Mr. Richenhagen holds a first and second State Examination in Philology from the University of Bonn, Germany.

He started his career at Hille & Müller GmbH, Germany where he held multiple positions from 1985 until 1995 leading up to General Manager for Supply Chain Management. He then served as Senior Executive Vice President of Schindler Deutschland Holdings GmbH, Germany, a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of elevators and escalators, from 1995 until 1998. He also served as Group President for CLAAS KGaA mbH, a global agricultural equipment manufacturer and distributor headquartered in Germany, from 1998 until 2002.

From 2003 until 2004, Dr. Richenhagen was Vice President of Forbo International SA, a flooring material company headquartered in Switzerland before joining AGCO, where he served as Chief Executive Officer and President of AGCO Corporation, a global manufacturer and distributor of tractors and agricultural equipment, from 2004 to 2020 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 2006 to 2020.