Christoph Ritter leads the Osprey’s EMEA sales and technical support group in Château-Arnoux, France. A role he has had for 19 years. He takes a moment to share with us some of his personal insights and experiences.

CHRISTOPH RITTER
Where did you grow-up?
Marne, Germany
I wish I would have studied this in school:
Number theory, prime numbers, or applied statistics.
How did you end up in Chateau-Arnoux, France?
I have been flying sailplanes – gliders for 44 years. This specific area of South-France is the best area within Europe to connect with the Alps.
Why did you join Osprey?
I love to work around air systems. Osprey allows me to work with a creative team to provide truly engineered air system solutions to a large variety of clients and industries.
You travel a lot. What is your favorite thing about travel?
Getting exposed to different countries and cultures. I get to meet many interesting people.
And the worst?
Rushing through airports
How many languages do you speak?
Three: German, English and French
My coworkers in my office only know this about me:
I need a strong coffee when I start in the morning.
I wish I would have listened to this person earlier:
My French teacher in school, because I could use those skills now.
Favorite business book you would recommend:
Cashflow Quadrant written by Robert Kiyosaki
This movie never gets old:
Back to the Future
If you could see any band live, front row – free, which would it be?
Muse
Last place you lost your phone when traveling?
When I was in Turkey my iPhone was shredded while taking pictures of a fan system.
Favorite hobby?
Flying sailplanes
How did that get started?
When I was 12 years old, I saw a TV show about people flying hundreds of miles in airplanes without motors – sailplanes. I was hooked immediately.
Favorite sales tool?
Listening
It’s strange, but I would turn around to get this when leaving for a business trip:
Airflow measurement tools.
First app I check in the morning:
YouTube / “Numberphile” – a channel about mathematics
Twitter or Facebook?
Neither
What’s an outdated piece of tech you’re not willing to give up yet?
A flashlight that is not my mobile phone.
I like to relax with this after a long day:
A draft beer from Germany or Czech Republic.
Do you have a secret talent?
Playing the piano
What is the best part about the airflow training?
Seeing participants using the content back in their plants to make a positive difference.
I wish there was more time to do this:
Prepare training videos around airflow topics
Over the years, I found myself collecting these when I travel:
Good memories
You might find me here 10 years from now:
Here
The one person dead or alive I would like to have lunch with:
Nikola Tesla
This person changed my life:
Jost Harjen – my high school math teacher.
If you got to pick your last meal, what would it be?
Spaghetti Bolognese
What is the best part about working with Osprey?
The company culture