Degree in translation and conference interpreting. 1992-2000, Member of Wil Town Parliament. 1997, President of Wil Town Parliament. 1995-2000, Member of the Board of Directors, Cantonal Trade Association of St Gallen. 1996-2000, Member of the Canton Council. 1997-2000, President of the FDP of the Canton of St Gallen. 2000-12, Member of the Cantonal Council of St Gallen, Head of the Security and Justice Department, Deputy Finance Director. 2006-07 and 2011-12, President of the Cantonal Council of St Gallen. 2010-12, Representative of the Cantonal Council of St Gallen in the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Governments (CCG). 2010-12, President of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Directors of Justice and Police. Since 2011, Member of the Council of States for the canton of St Gallen. Current parliamentary mandates: Economic Affairs and Taxation Committee (EATC); Social Security and Health Committee (SSHC); Vice-President, Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC); Vice-President, EFTA/European Parliament Delegation; Delegation for relations with the Landtag of Liechtenstein; Delegation for relations with the Austrian Parliament. Since 2018, Federal Councillor, Head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police of Switzerland.