I have the privilege of being born in Maastricht on July 14, 1949, a day on which flags are raised annually in France. I spent most of my youth in picturesque Sittard, where I completed the local HBS-B and music school with positive results. From an early age, I was raised with classical music at home, a passion that has stayed with me ever since. After my academic studies in Amsterdam and—with a brief interruption for artillery service—in Nijmegen, I graduated as a notarial law jurist in 1975. Following my work as a candidate notary in Goes and Heerlen, I became a notary in Maastricht in 1992. Since stepping down as a notary, I have continued to work a few days a week at my “old” firm (Noto Notarissen).

Throughout my student years and entire professional career, I have been active in various leadership roles, such as chairman of the Royal Notarial Professional Organization within the Maastricht district, several educational institutions, the Confederation of Belgian-Dutch Associations, and various Roman Catholic institutions. Since 1978, I have been happily married to Cunera van Lanschot, and am the father of three successful children and two wonderful grandchildren. For several years, I have served as a board member and, more recently, as chairman of the Conservatorium Maastricht Foundation. In this role, it is inspiring to collaborate with others in supporting the educational opportunities for talented young students at our esteemed conservatory.