FTAPI Diaries: Four people, one big impact (Part 2)
Who are the people behind FTAPI? What drives them, and what do they particularly enjoy about their work at FTAPI? Meet the team! We’re introducing you to the faces behind FTAPI and showcasing the individuals who contribute daily with passion and dedication to the success of our company.
Four personalities, four stories, and all of them represent what has defined FTAPI over the years. In the second part of our series, Sebastian Bolz, Thomas Händl, Christine Gutmann, and Marco Kroos look back on how their roles have developed over the years, what they have learned about themselves along the way, and who they would particularly like to thank today. For anyone just joining now: Part 1 walks you through how it all started. Definitely worth a look.
How has your own role developed over the years and what have you learned about yourself in the process?
Marco: I started as an intern in 2012, then moved from working student to software developer. After three years away, I returned in 2020 and am now Tech Lead. I've learned a lot, both professionally and personally. I've recognized my strengths, but also idiosyncrasies that slow me and others down. Because teamwork is important at FTAPI, I had the space I needed to develop both technically and personally.
Christine: I started as the sole accountant, then took over invoicing, payroll, and HR, and now I manage the accounting department up to the annual financial statements. In the process, I've learned to set priorities quickly and keep track of things during turbulent times.
Sebastian: From classic sales to technical sales, solution engineering, and team leadership. Today, I create an environment in which others can grow, and I celebrate their successes just as much as my own. My biggest lesson: the key to success is to remain flexible. The company is growing, processes are changing. If you are open-minded, you will grow with it.
Thomas: Started as an SDR working student and became a key account manager. Later, I became team lead, head of existing customers, and in 2021, VP of Customer Success & Growth. In 2025, I switched to product. I've learned to have more confidence in myself, to clearly demand what is necessary, and to push issues forward. If you are convinced of your ideas, you need perseverance, patience, and a willingness to invest the time necessary to ensure that ideas are implemented.
Looking back on your contribution to FTAPI, what are you most proud of?
Christine: I am a reliable constant in the background and have been for years. I have established and continuously improved many processes in accounting, payroll, and administration. Especially in difficult times, I remain calm and ensure that everything continues to run smoothly, quietly but with full commitment.
Sebastian: I am proud to have helped develop a product that can have a lasting impact on FTAPI and its customers. Knowing that my head, hands, and heart are in it is a great feeling. Maybe in a few years we'll talk about how exactly this product has set new standards.
Thomas: I built up the existing customer base and created a scalable structure. The migration from on-premises to the cloud increased data security for our customers. I am also proud of SecuFlows Advanced and CPT 2025 as a flagship event that brings our topics to the public's attention.
Who would you particularly like to thank today, and why?
Christine: Thank you to all my colleagues who placed their trust in me and supported me, especially those who helped me think things through during stressful times, backed me up, or simply brought me a coffee. Gestures like these show what makes our team so special.
Marco: First, I would like to thank Daniel Niesler, long-time CEO and now on the board. He believed in FTAPI early on, risked a lot of capital, and when I resigned in 2016, he just smiled and said, “Maybe Marco will come back.” That sentence stuck with me. I would also like to thank Michael Krinninger, then a developer, now CTO. In February 2020, we sat in Café Schiller at four in the morning, discussed the future, and decided to ask Daniel if his offer still stood. Michael made the contact, asked, and that's how I came back. His friendship, his trust, and his commitment to a culture in which humanity and success are equally important mean a lot to me. Without Daniel and Michael, FTAPI would not be my professional home.
Thomas: First, I would like to thank my former colleague Florian Tenius, who brought me to FTAPI in the first place. Without him, I probably wouldn't have taken this path. A big thank you to our CEO Ari for almost ten years together; our open exchange is invaluable. I am grateful to Daniel Niesler for the opportunities and mentoring he provided during and after his time as CEO. I shared a vision for the existing customer segment with Anton Müller (Head of Customer Experience), and it has proven to be true. Sebastian Bolz, who has been with FTAPI for eight years and was there at the beginning, laid the foundation for SecuFlows Advanced with his energy in the area of automation. Thanks also to the management for their cooperation and thanks to all team members who supported every change with their willingness to transform and their perseverance. This is the only way FTAPI could grow.