Gerhard returned to Swissotel The Bosphorus as General Manager in 2005 where later he was also appointed Regional Vice President Turkey & Eastern Europe in 2007. He joined Swissotel Hotels & Resorts in 1997 as Executive Assistant Manager in Istanbul. During this time he was Project Leader in a major rooms renovation and responsible for implementation and execution of Swissôtel standards. Subsequently he was promoted to become General Manager in Dalian/PRC and from there moved to open the newly built Swissôtel Berlin – Am Kurfuerstendamm in 2001.
Gerhard was included in the Hall of Fame for Special Awards for Tourism Business from PATWA when the Hotel won the Business Hotel of the Year in 2004 and he received the Gold medal for special Achievements by the Fed. State of Upper Austria.

Before embarking on his position with Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts in 1997, Gerhard held various positions in Sales and Rooms Division at Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center and in various Hilton International Hotels.

Gerhard is a Graduate of the Hotel & Tourism Management School in Vienna, Austria. He is the father of one daughter.