Austria

GERDA M. HANSEN

Gerda M. Hansen, retired marketing, publishing and sales director of international convention and hotel industries. She holds a BA in education and psychology from Roosevelt University. A former secondary education teacher and owner of an Austrian Import Business in Chicago for 21 years, Gerda immigrated to the US in 1951 from Graz, Austria. As director and founder of special international programs and cultural events for Chicago’s Cultural Affairs, Gerda hosted countless individuals and groups from around the world. She has served on several Boards in the state of Illinois. For the past 8 years, Gerda has been one of the founding members of the worldwide Luxembourg American Cultural Museum and Center in Wisconsin and is an executive member of its Board of Directors. In 2010 the country of Austria appointed Gerda as Honorary Consul of Austria with jurisdiction in Western Florida.

She is married to Donald J. Hansen, mother of 5 grown children and grandmother of 14 grandchildren. Gerda is fluent in the German language and has a working knowledge of Luxembourgish. She is proud to announce that already 4 of her young grandchildren are taking German language classes.

TOBY UNWIN

Toby Unwin was inaugurated as The Republic of Austria’s Honorary Consul in Orlando in 2006. His territory encompasses Central and North East Florida. His duties include trade development and assisting Austrian citizens in need. Unwin serves as Chairman of The Municipal Guarantee Fund, a non-profit organization which provides financing to banks, trading and insurance companies. He is the bestselling author of several books and a DVD series teaching commercial property investment. He owns developments throughout Florida. Unwin founded NetSearch, one of the most profitable Internet companies in Europe and sits on numerous boards such as Maximum Life Medical Research Foundation and the Central Florida Ballet. An accomplished pilot, he holds a World airspeed record. He speaks five languages and is International Counsel to NeJame LaFay, Attorneys at Law