Young Executive of the Year Award

At five years old, Zelger embarked on a two-year RV trip across the USA with his family, experiencing the joys of travel and the challenges of living on the go. This left a lasting impression, teaching him the values of family, flexibility, love, and the importance of financial stability.

Zelger’s early work experiences shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and made him the leader he is today. A summer job in a local brewery at the age of fifteen taught him, for example, the importance of creating a safe and pleasant work environment. Working in a 30-foot deep, mold filled cellar comes with challenges...

Several jobs and a German high school degree later, Zelger pursued higher education in Industrial Engineering at a prestigious university near Ulm, the home of LIQUI MOLY’s headquarters.

His career started with jobs at renowned companies such as Porsche AG and Carl Zeiss Vision. In 2014, he joined LIQUI MOLY as a Junior Export Sales Manager. Only two years later, in 2016, he took the reins of LIQUI MOLY USA.

Zelger’s life came full circle when two decades after his family’s RV adventure, he went back to his favorite country and spent a year on the road visiting employees and partners, emphasizing his commitment to his people and business relationships.

Under his leadership, LIQUI MOLY USA’s revenue and headcount more than quadrupled and made the brand to what it is today in North America.

Zelger’s journey is a testament to his family values and his dedication to the world of business.