Director of Staff

Brigadier Vladimir Maher was born on 10 April 1957 in Apače in the Municipality of Gornja Radgona. After completing the Secondary School of Economics in Maribor, he was employed by the paper factory Paloma. Following his military service at the Reserve Officer School in Bileča he was, as reserve officer, appointed as Platoon and Company Commander in the Light Brigade of the Yugoslav People's Army. Brigadier Maher was an active participant in the War for Slovenia and one of the organizers of the Manoeuvre Structure of National Defence.

Education:

-    Law College in Maribor.
-    2002: Faculty of Administration, University of Ljubljana.
-    1997 – 1998: General Staff Course in the Federal Republic of Germany.
-    2003 – 2005: Masters Studies at the Faculty of Postgraduate State and European Studies at Brdo pri Kranju.

Career in the Slovenian Armed Forces:

-    1991: Assistant to Chief of Intelligence Staff in the 7th Territorial-Defence Regional Staff.
-    1992: Assistant to Personnel Commander in the 7th Regional Command of the Slovenian Armed Forces.
-    1992 - 1994: Chief of Operational Department in the 7th Regional Command of the Slovenian Armed Forces.
-    1994 – 1997: Deputy Commander of the 7th Regional Command of the Slovenian Armed Forces.
-    1998 – 2000: Chief of Operational Department in the 3rd Operational Command of the Slovenian Armed Forces in Celje.
-    2001 – 2003: Chief of Logistics Sector at the General Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces.
-    2003 – 2005: Commander of the 72nd Brigade of the Slovenian Armed Forces in Maribor.
-    2005 – 2007: Chief of the Joint Sector for Personnel, Education and Training at the General Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces.
-    2007 – 2009: Deputy Commander of the Doctrine, Development, Education and Training Command.
-    12 May 2009 – Director of Staff at the General Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces.

He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier in May 2008.

For his participation in the Independence War and within the Slovenian Armed Forces he has received numerous awards, including:
-    Manoeuvre Structure of National Defence 1990 Badge.
-    Order of the Manoeuvre Structure of National Defence Class 3.
-    ‘Defended Slovenia’ Badge
-    Silver Medal of General Maister with Swords.
-    Gold Medal of General Maister.
-    Bronze Medal of the Slovenian Armed Forces.
-    Silver Medal of the Slovenian Armed Forces.
-    Gold Medal of the Slovenian Armed Forces.
-    Silver Plaque of the Slovenian Armed Forces.
-    Bronze Decoration of the Chief of General Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces.
-    Gold Plaque of the Slovenian Armed Forces of the Eastern Styria Region.
-    Gold Badge of the 72th Brigade.
-    Silver Sword of the Force Command of the Slovenian Armed Forces.
-    Silver Badge of the 3rd Operational Command of the Slovenian Armed Forces.
   
He is married to Marjeta and has a son Mitja.