Summary
Federal Councillor Martin Pfister, Head of the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), has appointed Matteo Pintonello as Deputy Secretary General and Head of Resources effective 1 November 2026. The 44-year-old Pintonello is transferring from the Federal Department of the Interior (FDI), where he has headed resource management since 2025. He replaces Marc Siegenthaler, who is being promoted to Director of the Federal Office of Civil Protection. The appointment was confirmed by the Federal Council at its meeting on 24 June 2026.
Persons
- Matteo Pintonello (Deputy Secretary General DDPS from 1 November 2026)
- Martin Pfister (Federal Councillor, Head of DDPS)
- Marc Siegenthaler (Director of the Federal Office of Civil Protection from 1 August 2026)
Topics
- Federal Administration – Personnel Changes
- Defence and Civil Protection
- Resource Management in Federal Departments
Clarus Lead
The appointment signals strategic continuity in resource management at the DDPS. Pintonello's transfer from the FDI to the DDPS follows the parallel advancement of Marc Siegenthaler and demonstrates a targeted rotation pattern for leadership positions in the federal administration. The appointment underscores the importance of specialized expertise in resource management and crisis management for the stability of security departments.
Detailed Summary
Matteo Pintonello brings diverse experience in leadership positions. After training as an electrical technician, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering in 2016 and later a Master of Business Administration in General Management. In the military, he serves as Deputy Chief of Staff of Territorial Division 3 with the rank of Colonel in the General Staff.
His professional career encompasses various positions: From 2004 to 2010, he headed the Mobile Networks division at the Army's Command Support Base. He subsequently moved to the defence industry, where he worked from 2011 to 2017 as a sales engineer at Rohde & Schwarz and Thales Suisse SA. From 2017 to 2018, he worked at Stadler Rail as a department head in rail vehicle development. At armasuisse (2018–2025), he was deputy head of the Command division and overall project manager of the Army's telecommunications project, one of the DDPS's top projects. Since August 2025, he has headed resource management at the FDI and serves as crisis management chief. Pintonello has also been a municipal councillor in Rüschlikon, Canton Zurich, since 2024.
Key Points
- Matteo Pintonello becomes new Deputy Secretary General of the DDPS with a focus on resource management
- The appointment takes effect on 1 November 2026 and follows Marc Siegenthaler's promotion
- Pintonello has 20+ years of experience in the military, defence industry, and federal administration
Critical Questions
Evidence: What specific successes in resource management at the FDI particularly qualify Pintonello for the DDPS position?
Conflicts of Interest: How is the independence of procurement decisions ensured when the new head of resources previously worked in the defence industry?
Causality: Is the appointment made in response to specific challenges in DDPS resource management, or does it follow a regular rotation pattern?
Feasibility: What transition processes are planned for Marc Siegenthaler's succession at the DDPS to ensure continuity?
Data Quality: Are the reasons for Siegenthaler's move to the directorship of the Federal Office of Civil Protection communicated publicly?
Side Effects: What impact does the change have on ongoing projects at the FDI, particularly on the crisis management function?
Sources
Primary Source: Appointment of Matteo Pintonello – Deputy Secretary General DDPS – news.admin.ch, 24 June 2026
Verification Status: ✓ 24.06.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 24.06.2026