Author
Linda Tietz, Alpha1 Germany eV, as published in Alpha1 Journal 1/2021.
An interview by Linda Tietz with our new board member Peter Hübner.
Linda Tietz: Hello Peter! Before I begin with my first questions, I would like to thank you on behalf of the board and the advisory council for your interim service as treasurer since the beginning of 2021! We are also very pleased that you have agreed to stand for election to the board as the volunteer treasurer of Alpha1 Germany. What specific tasks have you been entrusted with within the association?
Peter Hübner: Thank you very much! The treasurer's duties are quite varied. Besides managing the accounts, they include checking and paying invoices and administering membership fees. Securing income from grants and sponsorships is also part of the role. And of course, there are the allocations and accounting for the self-help groups. I'm sure there will be even more tasks that I'll be trained in. I'm really looking forward to this role and especially to working with a fantastic board and advisory team.
Linda Tietz: Are you also affected by AAT deficiency? Which phenotype were you diagnosed with?
Peter Hübner: I am only indirectly affected by PiMZ in that respect.
Linda Tietz: This question is always interesting for us: How did you first come into contact with our patient organization? And when was that?
Peter Hübner: Because our daughter wanted to have children, she was also diagnosed with the PiMZ phenotype, as her husband also carries the PiMZ phenotype. Therefore, my wife and I also got tested. I was the match. That was in February 2018.
Linda Tietz: And then? How did you get in touch with Alpha1 Germany?
Peter Hübner: My wife and son-in-law first contacted Gabi Niethammer. We found out about Alpha1 Germany online. We went to the first self-help group meeting with mixed feelings and, to be honest, some reservations and prejudices. Of course, it didn't take 10 minutes for all our prejudices to vanish. We very quickly felt welcome and supported. This sense of community then fostered our desire to become actively involved ourselves.
Linda Tietz: What does your life outside of
Alpha1 off? Are you physically active? Do you like to travel?
Peter Hübner: I work as a project manager at AOK Nordost – the health insurance company. Well, I could always be more active. But going to the gym or using my treadmill is part of my weekly routine. I often travel to South Tyrol, where hiking is the main activity, but I also sometimes tackle a summit or a via ferrata. My other hobbies are photography and sport shooting.
Linda Tietz: To conclude our conversation, would you like to tell us what goals and ideas you associate with your work at Alpha1 Germany? What is particularly important to you?
Peter Hübner: The initial focus is on solid work as treasurer. I am also happy to contribute my experience from almost 30 years in IT management. I am firmly convinced that this will be a fruitful team effort, as we complement each other. After getting to know Alpha1 Germany and all its remarkable people better in Göttingen in 2019, I wanted to get involved. Therefore, in November 2019, I seized the opportunity to take over the group leadership of the Berlin-Brandenburg self-help group. I am very pleased to now also be able to support the board's work as treasurer.
Linda Tietz: Thank you very much, Peter, for introducing yourself here and for your future diverse commitment to Alpha1 Germany.
