City council convenes anew in Geraer, bolstering its ranks with the addition of two fresh appointees.
New Leadership Takes Shape in Gera
A new chapter begins for the city of Gera as Thomas Lenk and Bertram Koch take on their new roles as Mayor and Director of Security and Citizen Services, and Third Deputy and Director of Construction and Urban Development respectively.
Thomas Lenk, a native of Vogtland, has been serving as the head of the inspection service of the state police inspectorate in Gera. Before that, he held the position of the head of the police inspectorate in Greiz. Lenk announced his decision to leave the police force after 30 years, stating that he wants to dedicate his strength and competence to the benefit of the city and its citizens.
Bertram Koch, who holds a degree in civil engineering and has experience as a renovation consultant, was previously the head of the building authority in the city of Greiz. Koch expressed motivation to master his tasks with tailored solutions and take responsibility for the organization in a positive sense. He is currently leading the "Elstertal" infrastructure project GmbH as managing director since March 2023.
The elections for the positions of the Mayor, the First Deputy, and the Third Deputy were held following the vacancies that occurred in June 2024, April 2025, and before that, respectively. The quality of the applications for all positions was consistently high, with a total of ten and twelve applications received for the positions of the Third Deputy and the First Deputy respectively.
Kurt Dannenberg, a member of the organizational committee, expressed satisfaction with the election results. He stated that Lenk and Koch are personalities who are already well-connected in the city and have been involved in various places, but also know the challenges in Gera. Dannenberg believes that the new leadership team will successfully move Gera forward with professional strength and close cooperation.
Lenk, in his acceptance speech, expressed his belief in the success of the leadership team and their ability to work together for the betterment of the city. He looks forward to serving the city and its citizens with dedication and commitment.
With these changes, the city of Gera prepares for a new era of leadership, one that promises professionalism, cooperation, and a deep understanding of the city's challenges and opportunities.
