BDLI Mourns the Loss of Gerardo Walle

Dr Gerardo Walle, who served as the Managing Director of the BDLI, died at the age of 67 in a car accident on Thursday.

He had taken over the leadership of the association in an interim capacity in February, with the intent to hand over the reins after a succesful international trade show ILA Berlin (5 to 9 June). Gerardo Walle, who held a doctorate in aeronautical engineering, also served as a member of the Supervisory Board at Diehl Aerospace, where he started his professional s career in 1988. Before joining the board, he led the company as President and CEO from 2009 to 2022. From 2022 to 2023, Gerardo Walle was a member of the BDLI Executive Board, serving as Vice President for Equipment and Materials.

BDLI President Dr Mike Schoellhorn expressed his condolences: “All of us at the BDLI – Board, Executive Committee and staff – are deeply shocked by this terrible news. We have come to know and appreciate Gerardo Walle not only as an excellent engineer and manager, but also as a highly humane and empathetic leader. His guidance and unifying presence will be sorely missed. At this difficult time, our thoughts are with his family, his wife and three children.“