Gerhard Heiberg

Gerhard Heiberg studied at the graduate school of economics and business administration in København and later studied human relations at San José State University in California. He began his business career with Norsk Hydro (later Norcem), becoming vice-president in 1973 and President in 1987. After the merger of Norcem and Aker in 1987, he served as President and CEO from 1987-89, and then chaired the board of Aker from 1989-96. He later served as chair of the board of Den Norske Bank from 1995-2000 and the Norwegian Trade Council, also from 1995-2000.

In 1989 Heiberg was named chair, President, and CEO of the organizing committee for the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics. In 1994 he was also co-opted onto the International Olympic Committee (IOC), serving until 2017. He was a member of the IOC Executive Board from 2003-11 and was made an Honorary Member in 2017.

During his time on the IOC Heiberg chaired the Marketing Commission from 2001-14, the Evaluation Commission for the XXI Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010 from 2002-03, and the Olympic Philately, Numismatic and Memorabilia Commission in 2010-14. He also served on the following commissions: Olympic Philately, Numismatic and Memorabilia Commission (2005-15); Coordination for the XVIII Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998 (1995-98), Coordination for the XIX Olympic Winter Games Salt Lake City 2002 (1996-2002), Sport and Environment (1996-2001), IOC 2000 (1999), Coordination for the XX Olympic Winter Games Turin 2006 (2000-06), TV Rights and New Media (2002-14), Marketing (2014-17), Olympic Programme (2015-17), and the Audit Committee (2014-17).

Heiberg was awarded the Olympic Order in gold for his efforts leading the 1994 Olympic Winter Games. He was named a Commander of St. Olav’s Order and of the Togolese Mono Order, Knight of the Lion’s Order and of the French Honors Legion. He also was given the Great Global Mark in Silver of the Austrian Global Mark for Merit.