Board of Directors

Robert N. Pyle

Founder and Chairman, in Memorium (Deceased)
Robert N. Pyle has been in the Washington political arena for over forty years. Mr. Pyle began his career as a Senior Staff Member to Rep. Margaret Heckler (R-MA); Rep. Ben Gilman (R-NY); Rep. David Emery (R-ME); Rep. Herbert Warburton (R-DE); and Rep. Perkins Bass (R-NH). Subsequently, Mr. Pyle was a campaign consultant to the Republican National Committee advising over fifty congressional, senatorial and gubernatorial campaigns throughout New England, the South and the Midwest. Mr. Pyle has been the subject of a front-page article in The Wall Street Journal and a televised Bill Moyer's Journal political piece. He also served as an advisor to the Dole for President Campaign in 1988. In 1970, Mr. Pyle formed Robert N. Pyle & Associates, Inc., a multi-service public relations firm. The firm represents a wide range of clients in the agriculture, metals, and food industries as well as charitable and international organizations. Additionally, he serves as the President of the Independent Bankers Association, and he was a founding director of the Small Business Legislative Council. Mr. Pyle is Secretary-Treasurer of the Bulgarian-American Business Center. During World War II, Mr. Pyle served the U.S. Army in Europe, and in 1946 he covered the Paris Peace Conference and the Nuremberg Trials as a reporter for Stars & Stripes. Mr. Pyle received his B.A. from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and attended the graduate division of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.

Vladimir A. Ossenov

President
Education
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USAPostgraduate Course for Foreign Governmental Officials 1987 International Academy, Salzburg, AustriaPostgraduate Course for Diplomats: International Law and International Relations and Politics: 1986
Academy for Foreign Trade, Moscow, USSRMaster of Science in Economics and Foreign Trade 1985 Technical University of Brno, Brno, CzechoslovakiaMaster of Science in Mechanical Engineering 1977
English Language Gymnasium, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1970
Skills and Expertise
Business Entrepreneur, Investor, Trader, Business Leader and ManagerEstablishing contacts; initializing and realizing a variety of projects; investment contracts; international trade; finance; privatization issues; strategic planning; sales and marketing; negotiation; real estate development; project management; conflict management; and strategic planning
DiplomacyMultilateral and bilateral; political and security issues; international organizations; regional cooperation; government and philanthropic development
Areas of ExpertiseEastern and Central Europe (Bulgaria, Russia, Romania, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Serbia), Baltic countries (Latvia), Middle East (Afghanistan, Iraq), Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Tajikistan), North and South America
Professional Experience
• InfoMed Bulgaria Ltd. 2004–present Co–founder and Member of the Board
 • Netcare Bulgaria 2003–2005Co–founder and Member of the BoardExpansion of Netcare, a global, integrated healthcare organization
 • General Dynamics 2001–2011Southeast Europe Representative and Sales Agent
 • Washington Times 2000–2002Regional Producer and Marketing Representative
 • International Eye Foundation 2000–2006Member of the BoardNon–profit organization dedicated to global eye care
 • AIV Corporation 1998–presentPresidentConsulting and international trade activities
 • Ultimate Extreme Sports, Inc. 1998–2001Founder, Chairman of the BoardExclusive distributor of O’Neill, Inc. for Bulgaria
 • Aspolly Carrass International, Inc. 1998–presentChairman of the BoardExpert assistance and professional consulting services to the public sector and business and strategic development in the private sectorTrade operations and construction activities
 • Velgraf USA, Inc. 1996–presentFounder, President and Member of the BoardConsortium of 26 engineering and construction companies
 • Bulgarian American Business Center 1992–presentFounder, President and Member of the BoardIndependent, non–profit organization offering comprehensive international services to the United States, Bulgaria, and other nations
• Worldwide Foods, Inc. 1998–2003Vice–President and Member of the Board
 • Trans Medical Corporation 1996–2002President and Member of the Board
 • US Meds — Bulgaria 1992–2000Member of the Board
 • Frontier Agricultural & Environmental Resources, Inc. 1994–1997Member of the Board
 • Embassy of Bulgaria, Washington, D.C., USA 1989–1992First Secretary for Science and Technology
 • Ministry of Economics and Planning 1988–1989International Department, Sofia, BulgariaHead of the Section for Bilateral and Multilateral International Cooperation
 • State Commission for Research and Technology 1986–1988International Department, Sofia BulgariaSenior Program Manager
 • State Commission for Technological Progress 1985–1986International Department, Sofia BulgariaProgram Manager
 • Center for Scientific and Technical Creativity 1979–1982Sofia, BulgariaDirector
 • Bulgarian Academy of Science, Sofia, Bulgaria 1977–1979Research Fellow
Languages
Native speaker in Bulgarian, fluent in English, Spanish, Russian, Czech and Slovak, working knowledge of Polish and Serbo–Croatian
Publications
Books:With D. Doikov, International Cooperation and the Developed Countries. Sofia, Bulgaria: Science and Technology Publishing, 1990International Scientific and Technological Cooperation. Sofia Bulgaria: HIME Publishing, 1989With K. Todorov, Technological Development of the Developed Countries. Sofia, Bulgaria: Informa Publishing, 1988
Articles:Numerous articles for Bulgarian and Russian newspapers and magazines on economic and technological cooperation and development
Personal
Married with two children

Dora Atanassova

Date of birth: 13/01/1960 | Nationality: Bulgarian | Civil status: Married
Education
1974 - 1979, English Language School, Plovdiv, Bulgaria1979 - 1984, University of National and International Economy
Language Skills
English – FluentRussian – FluentFrench – Basic
Professional Experience
1984-1991, Sofia, Balkan Holidays International - Director Foreign companies and investmentsFinancial management and control of 18 subsidiary companies of Balkan Holidays abroad
1992-1995, Sofia, EuroDollar Car Rental Managing DirectorFranchisee of EuroDollar International /UK/ for Bulgaria
1996-1998, Sofia, National Car Rental - Managing DirectorFranchisee of National Car Rental /USA
1999-2001, Sofia, UPEE - Executive DirectorNGO, Non government association of more than 3000 small and medium enterprises. 2001-2002, Sofia, Aida-96 Ltd - Managing DirectorAdvertising and PR activity
2002- up to now, Sofia, Business ConsultantBusiness consulting provided to various local and foreign companies
2004- up to now, Executive Director of NetCare Bulgaria and InfoMed-Bulgaria Ltd.

Stoyan Georgiev Dentchev

Personal Data
Office Address:Prof. Dr. Stoyan Dentchev,State College of Library Studies & Information Technologies111 "Tzarigradsko Shouse" Blvd.1784 Sofia, Bulgaria, EuropeTel.: +3592 971-8068Fax: +3592 971-8052Mobile: +359889 909-023E-Mail: kbd_college@yahoo.com
Dr. Stoyan Dentchev,Consulting Agency "Dr. DENTCHEV"111 Rakovski Str.,1000 Sofia, Bulgaria, EuropeTel.: +3592 983-3545Fax: +3592 983-3545Mobile: +359889 909-023E-Mail: dstoyan@hotmail.com
Home Address:Dr. Stoyan Dentchev,G.k. "Drujba-2", Bl. 228, Apt.841582 Sofia, Bulgaria, EuropeTel.: +3592 874-3787, +3592 793-915E-Mail: dstoyan@hotmail.com Age: 51Nationality: BulgarianGender: maleMarital Status: married (1975) with two childrenGergana — spouse (1953) — Teacher,Maria — daughter (1976) — Dentist, M. Dr Sofia, Bulgaria, Medical Academy, Sofia, BulgariaGeorgi — son (1979) — Financial Manager, Swissfone Inc. Washington DC, USA
Education
D.Sc.Economy 2004 Ph.D. Computers & Information Systems, Technical Univ. — Sofia 1980-1983 MS Public Administration & Computer Science, Sofia University 1976-1978 BS Mathematics, Sofia University 1973-1976
Summary of Professional Skills and/or Expertise
Field of expertise: • Public Administration • Human Resources Management • Information Resources Management • System Analysis • Information Technologies • General & Team Management Credentials or professional training / relevant to expertise: • Associate Professor, Information Resources Management, System Analysis;State College of Library Studies & Information Technologies, Sofia, Bulgaria — 2003 - present • Associate Professor, Political Management;Sofia University, Bulgaria — 2002 - present • Professor, Management Information Systems; System Analysis,International University, Sofia — 1993 - present • Associate Professor, Information Resources Management,University "Sv.Sv. Kiril I Metodij", V.Tarnovo, Bulgaria — 1993 - 1995 • Small and Medium Size Enterprise Management Program,J I C A, Tokyo, Japan. — Sept., 1991 • Management Development Program of the School of Business,Society and Public Policy, Wilkes Univ., Pennsylvania, USA — April, 1990 • Guest - Research Associate, College of Engineering,University of California at Berkeley, USA — 1988 - 1989
Computer skills (both hardware & software): • Basic software & hardware knowledge • Windows 98, XP, Microsoft Office 97, Netscape, Certain Programming Languages
Summary of Relevant Work Experience
Rector2002 - presentState College for Library Studies and Information TechnologiesLocation: Sofia-BGType of business: management, education & research Chief Consultant, Investment, Communication Strategies, PR, Human Resources, Lobbing and PA2001 - presentConsulting Agency "Dr. DENTCHEV"Location: Sofia-BGType of business: consultations MG CorporationVice President 1998 - 2001Corporate Strategic Development & Communication (incl. Human Resources)Location: Zug-SH, Sofia-BGType of business: investment & commodities Alliance for National Salvation (Bulgarian Political Coalition)Political Secretary 1997 - 1998Location: Sofia-BGType of activity: policy National AssemblyElected as a Member of Bulgarian Parliament, repr. "MRF"-party 1994 - 1997Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Policy CommitteeLocation: Sofia-BGType of activity: policy Ministry of Foreign Affairs, BulgariaAmbassador to Helsinki, Finland 1994Location: HelsinkiType of activity: official state representative Council of Ministers, BulgariaSECRETARY GENERAL 1993 - 1994Location: Sofia-BGType of activity: governance, public administration & HR
Head of Structural & Technological Policy Dept. 1992Location: Sofia-BGType of activity: supervising new tech. structures development Senior Adviser (Management, Science & Technology) 1991- 1992Location: Sofia-BGType of activity: institutional basis for market economy Information Centre for Technology Transfer "INFORMA"- SofiaDeputy R&D Director General 1989Scientific Director 1987- 1989Manager of Automated Information Technology Dept. 1985- 1987Head of Laboratory "Management of Information Resources" 1984- 1985Location: Sofia-BGType of business: technology transfer & IS management Central Institute on Mechanical Engineering - SofiaResearch Assistant Fellow at the Engineering Information and 1981- 1984 Computer Centre;Head of Laboratory "Automated Information Technologies" 1980- 1981Software Engineer 1978- 1980Location: Sofia-BGType of business: software programming & IS management Member of Boards • President, "FAVOURITE" Foundation, Sofia — 1996 - 2001 • Member of Supervisory Board - CREDIT BANK, Sofia — 1998 - 1999 • Executive Board Consultant, UNIONBANK, Sofia — 1996 - 1998 • Advisor, COMPAREX-Bulgaria (member of BASF group of companies) — 1996 - 1997 • Founder & Member of Executive Board – Bulgarian Aerospace Agency — 1993 - present • Member of Executive Board – EXPRESSBANK, Varna — 1993 - 1994 • President, Bulgarian Association of Information Industry — 1992 - 1994 • President of Supervisory Board - TRANSPORT BANK, Varna — 1992 - 1993 • Chairman of Executive Board - hotel "RODINA-TOURIST", Sofia — 1991 - 1993
Publications, Awards and Nominations
Publications - more than 70Bulgarian Representative, T.C. - 13, IFIPBulgarian Co-ordinator, Sub-Project 1.6. 'Technology Transfer', UN, RER/87/020INTERNETTokens of Honour:- George Washington University, USA- University of California at Berkeley, USA- ICSTI, Moscow, RussiaEditorial Boards:- International Journal "Machinery and Automation", Moscow — 1983 - 1998- International Journal "Computers, Systems & Management", Moscow - Budapest — 1986 - 2000
Languages
BULGARIAN nativeENGLISH excellentRUSSIAN excellent
Other
  • Chief Coordinator of The Bulgarian Business Club "Vuzrajdane" — 01.2002 – 11.2002
  • Chairman of The Social Board-International Foundation For the Unity of Orthodox Nations, Moscow; Bulgarian Branch — 1998 - present
  • Member - Board of Trusties to the "St. Aleksander Nevski" Cathedral, Sofia — 2001 - present
  • Member – Bulgarian Union of Scientists

Asparuh Draganov Karastoyanov

Personal Information
Born: September 9, 1951 in Sofia, BulgariaMarried, with two sonsAddress: 1616 Sofia, Boyana, 12 Belovodsky Pat StreetTel: (359-2) 9590 186 (home); 952 6267 (office); (359 888) 55 30 20 (mobile)Fax: (359-2) 9590 184, 952 3310E-Mail: asparouh@einet.bg
Education and Qualifications
1998 Certified Management ConsultantInstitute of Management Consultancy, London 1994 Certified Broker in Futures & Options Trading,Chicago Mercantile Exchange
1993 Certified Broker in Futures & Options Trading,Chicago Mercantile Exchange
1991–92 Financial Controlling Program, Festo Academy 1982–85 Moscow Academy for Foreign TradeMaster degree in economics – graduated Foreign Trade Economist
1970-75 Naval Academy, Varna; graduated Engineer – Navigator
1966-70 Technical College, Sofia
Professional Experience
2004 - Chairman, Bulgarian-American Trade and Economic Council 2001 - Chairman, American Construction Products JSCpresent Exclusive distributor for the markets of Bulgaria and Southeastern Europe of American companies offering innovative building products and technologies – decorative concrete, Inculating Concrete Forming System, etc. 1999 - President, Rossin Art, Inc.present with offices in Washington, DC and Sofia, Bulgaria – creation of, and trade with pieces of art. 1998 - President, Aspolly Carrass International, Inc.present based in Virginia, USArepresentative and liaison office of Bulgaria-registered Aspolly Carrass International – Agency for Business and Consulting Activities Ltd. - promotion of US-Bulgarian business contacts and cooperation
1996 - Manager, Eurotrade Ltd.present Bulgarian-Greek company based in Thessaloniki, Greece 1994 – Owner and CEO, Aspolly Carrass International - Agency present for Business and Consulting Activities Ltd.Independent private consulting company rendering services on mediation, foreign representation, trade, financial controlling, construction
1994 - Chairman, American Capital Services Corporationpresent An American consulting company based in Chicago, Illinois engaged in financial consulting, investment attraction, stock trading, broker education and training 1990 - General Manager, Festo MachinexAn Austrian-German company, producer of industrial automation tools, software, hardware. 1989 - General Manager, Hemus Engineering PLCState-owned foreign trade company specializing in financial and investment activities in the cultural field 1987 - Foreign Trade Counsellor to the Deputy Prime Minister of the 1988Republic of Bulgaria, Council of Ministers 1985 - Foreign Trade Economist, Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign 1987 TradeSupervisor of UNIDO project in Benguela, Angola 1975 - Mate and Captain on various cargo ships of Bulgaria 1981 Bulgarian Commercial Fleet
Languages
Fluency in English and Russian
Social Engagements and Activities
  • Chairman of the Bulgarian-Korean Committee for Economic Cooperation
  • Member of the American Chamber of Commerce
  • Member of Rotary Club-Sofia-Vitosha- District 2240
  • Executive Secretary of the Association of Space Explorers, 1988-1989
  • One of the founders and shareholder at the Bulgarian Stock Exchange
  • One of the founders and shareholder at the Sofia Commodity Exchange
  • Sponsor and organizer of various events of Bulgarian arts a abroad
  • Author and publisher of books and manuals of finance
  • Has published over 20 articles on economic problems in specialized newspapers and magazines
Awards
International Award “Best Commercial Name”Madrid, Spain, November 1993
Best New TraderChicago Mercantile Exchange/DePaul University, 1993
Bulgarian Olympic Committee Jubilee Medal for special merits to the Olympic movement in Bulgaria, 2001 Military medals, Order for Bravery in Peaceful Times

Raymond J. Miller

International Programs, Agriculture and Natural Resources1116 Symons HallUniversity of MarylandCollege Park, MD 20742-5539Telephone: (301) 405-1316Fax: (301) 314-7185Email: rm33@umail.umd.edu
Education
Ph.D. Soil Physical Chemistry, Purdue University, 1962MS Soil Chemistry, Washington State University, 1960BS Soil Sciences, University of Alberta, 1957
Summary of Experience
  • International, institutional, research and educational management specialist with over 25 years of experience in evaluation, design, and implementation of institutional and management systems. Has in-depth knowledge and extensive experience with various agencies, policies and regulations. Has provided technical assistance, project management and institutional agreements with countries in the NIS, Pacific Rim and Latin America.

  • 1998-Present Director, International Programs in Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Agriculture, University of Maryland at College Park
  • 1986-Present Professor of Agronomy, Department of Natural Resource Sciences and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland at College Park
  • 1991-1993 President, Maryland Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources (UMS)
  • 1989-1991 Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Natural Resources (UMS)
  • 1986-1989 Vice President for Agricultural Affairs, University of Maryland and Dean, Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Maryland at College Park
  • 1980-1986 Dean, College of Agriculture, University of Idaho
  • 1979 Acting Dean, College of Agriculture/Director, Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station
  • 1973-1979 Director, Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station
  • 1973-1986 Professor of Soil Sciences, University of Idaho
Professional History
Currently Professor of soil science and Director of International Programs in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Miller has over 25 years of international experience. Dr. Miller has served as a consultant and advisor to a number of government and private agencies, businesses, foreign governments and organizations such as the World Bank, AID and several private organizations whereby he conducted needs assessments, organizational and functional evaluations. Dr. Miller has served on a bilateral negotiation team that provided agricultural research exchanges with the former USSR. He has also served on an institutional evaluation team to Russia.
In addition, Dr. Miller has developed cooperative plans, and was responsible for an irrigation project in Pakistan and a post-harvest program in the Philippines. He has also served and chaired technical and management reviews of AID-funded CRSP projects (Bean and Cowpea; Peanuts; Livestock; Sorghum/Millet; IPM; Aquaculture; and Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources). Currently, he is a past or present member of the Board of Directors of the Bulgarian American Business Center and the Maryland/Israel Development Center. He served on the Agriculture Research, Extension and Education Subcommittee of the Gore/Putin Commission. He has negotiated memoranda of understanding with Institutes in Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, China, Central America, and Eastern Europe. He has worked and traveled extensively in various countries including: Russia, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Israel, China, Philippines, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Republic of Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Eastern Europe, China and other Pacific Rim countries.
After graduating with his doctorate in 1962, Dr. Miller joined the faculty of North Carolina State University, as Assistant Professor of Soil Sciences. From 1965 to 1973, he served as Associate Professor, and then Professor, of Agronomy at the University of Illinois. In addition to his professorial duties, he served as Assistant, and then Associate Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Illinois. In 1973, Dr. Miller was appointed Director of the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Idaho. He held this position until 1979, at which time he assumed the additional position of Acting Dean of the College of Agriculture. In 1980, he was appointed Dean of the College of Agriculture, University of Idaho, which included authority over the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, and Idaho Cooperative Extension Service.
In 1986, Dr. Miller was appointed to the combined position of Vice President for Agricultural Affairs, University of Maryland/Dean of the College of Agriculture and College of Life Sciences, and Professor of Agronomy, University of Maryland College Park. In 1989, he became Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland System. With the establishment of the Maryland Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources (MIANR) in 1991, Dr. Miller became its President. In 1993, with the restructuring of UMS agriculture programs, Dr. Miller continued his professorship in Agronomy while leading and developing programs in Russia, the NIS and Eastern Europe. In 1998, Dr. Miller was named Director of International Programs in Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland. Dr. Miller has been recognized by being named a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America and the American Society for the Advancement of Science. He was a participant in the Harvard University Institute for Educational Management, and a Visiting Professor at the University of Sussex, Great Britain. Recently he was presented an Honorary degree from the Moscow State Agro-engineering University.
Dr. Miller has extensive knowledge of the Former Soviet Union (FSU) system of education and government agencies. He has worked in the Soviet Union and FSU countries for over 25 years.

Prof.Bogdan Vassilev Ougartchinsky

Address: 4, Sv. Nedelya Sq., 1000 Sofia, BulgariaTelephone (w): +359 2 93 07 550Cell phone: 088 8570 537Fax (w): +359 2 98 07 311E-Mail: velgraf.ltd@usa.net Date of birth: 25th October 1943
Education and Training
1956 – 1961 Secondary School, Sofia1961 – 1966 Higher Navigation Institute, Varna1979 International Institute for Scientific and Technical Information, Moscow1984 Central Institute for Mechanical Engineering
Qualifications
1966 - M. Sc.1979 - Ph.D.1984 - Assoc. Professor
Posts Held
1966 – Lecturer, High School for Shipbuilding and Navigation1967 – 70 Engineer, Bulgarian Commercial Fleet1970 – 72 Specialist, Central Institute for Mechanical Engineering1979 – 86 Director General, ‘Informa” Information Centre, Central Institute for Mechanical Engineering
1986 – 91 Director General, Information Centre for Technology Transfer ‘Informa’ 1991 – until present, Director General, Informinvest PLC, ( former ‘Informa’)1999 – until present, Managing Director, Velgraf Ltd.2001 – until present, Managing Director “Bulgarian Energy Company” JSCo.2002 - until present, Managing Director “Interatomenergo” Ltd.
Practice Abroad
1972 –1978 Expert, International Centre for Scientific and Technical Information, Moscow1983 – Specialization in Information Management Koeln, Frankfurt, Karlsruhe - Germany1988 – Specialization in Information Management, California, USA
Publications
  • over 60 publications in scientific and technical magazines in Bulgaria and abroad on the problems of scientific and technical information
  • UN project, National Automated Information Centre, Sofia
  • International System for Scientific and Technical Information Project, Moscow
Social and Professional Engagements
  • Vice- president of the “Agriculture” Foundation
  • Member of the Bulgarian Commission of UNIDO
  • Member of the Board of Directors of the Bulgarian-American Business Centre seated in Washington, USA
  • Chairman of the Board of Directors of VELGRAF USA, Inc.
  • Chairman of the Board of Directors of INFORMINVEST PLC
  • Member of the Board of Directors of AB- AGRO
  • Chairman of the Board of Directors of Consultative Center for the Integration in the European Union
  • Member of the Board of Directors of Bulgarian Energy Company JSCo.
  • President of Consortium “Velgraf-Group”
  • President of Consortium “Energy”
Languages
Bulgarian: nativeRussian: fluentlyWorking knowledge of French and English

Alexandar Dimitrov Popov

Date and place of birth: 21.11.1951, Sofia, Bulgaria
Education
1969 St. K.Ohridski High School No.32, Sofia
1974 St. Kliment Ohridski University, SofiaDepartment of LawSubject of studies: Law
2001 Professor at M.V.Lomonossov MoscowState University, Moscow, Russia
Professional Experience
1975 – 1977 Senior Expert at the Central Union of the Science and technology unionsQuality Control expert; Head of the National System for quality control in the Republic of Bulgaria
1975 – 1980 Prosecutor
1980 – 1985 Ministry of Justice: Expert on the elaboration of normative acts; Head of a team elaborating the laws for the development and government of the Republic of Bulgaria 1986 – 1990 Senior legal adviser: Head of the Legal Department of a group of projects in Iraq. The Department supported and secured the activities of the companies working on the construction of irrigation and water supply systems in the Republic of Iraq.
1990 – 1992 Senior Expert – Adviser in the National Assembly (The Parliament) of the Republic of BulgariaHead of a Team of Experts elaborating bills in the fields of commercial law, investment, taxation and banking law
Since 1992 Managing partner in the lawyer’s offices “Popov & Markovski” and “Popov & Partners”.Representation in more than 40 legal cases and proceedings; Defense of firms and enterprises before The Supreme Court of the Republic of Bulgaria; Three legal cases abroad.
2003 - present Honourary Consul of Latvia in Bulgaria
Research Activities and Publications
Two works on The Quality Control of the Industrial ProductsTwo works on Social Psychology and Social Groups ManagementLecturer at the Higher Institute of PsychologyPost-graduate studies
Additional Engagements
Consultant of the Legal Commission of The National Assembly on matters related to investments and banks
Consultant on the Tax Legislation and Commercial Law at Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria, The Ministry of Finance, Bulbank etc.
Lawyer: Arthur Andersen, USA; Price Waterhouse, USA; LEO Bank, Switzerland; Velgraf Inc., USA; T.A.B. Investment, Cyprus; Velgraf Ltd., Bulgaria; Bulbank; Bank DSK etc.
Personal Data
Marital status: marriedWife: Aliya Mohammed Al Timimi, Graduated from Baghdad University, Subject: T.V. producerChildren: Two daughters and a son
Address: Sofia 1000, Bulgaria4, St. Nedelya Sq.Tel.: +359 2 9809321Fax: +359 2 9802426E-Mail: law@velgraf.org

Michael Tachev

Born 1949
Education
1963-1968 English language High School, Plovdiv, Bulgaria1968-1973 Technical University, Sofia, Bulgaria M.Sc.1976-1979 Academy of International Economic Relations, Moscow, Russia MBA
Professional Experience
  • 1970-1973 Balkan Holidays Ltd. (Tourist company), London
  • UK Employed on a seasonal basis (summer time)
  • 1973-1974 Isotimpex (Trading company), Sofia, Bulgaria
  • 1974-1975 Regular service in the army
  • 1975-1976 Back to Isotimpex (Trading company), Sofia, Bulgaria
  • 1979-1987 Isotimpex (Trading company), Sofia, Bulgaria Managing Director of different export and import departments and divisions
  • 1987-1990 L.Zhivkova International Foundation, Sofia, Bulgaria (Now St.Cyril and St.Methodius Foundation) Treasurer
  • 1990- St.Cyril and St.Methodius Foundation, Sofia, Bulgaria Chief Executive Officer
Other Professional Activities
1992-1995 Union of Bulgarian Foundations and Associations, Sofia, Bulgaria, Vice President 1992- Family Private Agricultural Cooperative, Nova Zagora, BulgariaChairman 1995-2001 Union of Bulgarian Foundations and Associations, Sofia, BulgariaMember of the Board 1995-2000 Bulgarian Charities Aid Foundation,Civil Society Development FoundationNova Zagora Community Foundation, BulgariaMember of the Board 1995- European Foundation Center, Brussels, BelgiumMember of the Governing Council and a number of committees 1995- Food Distribution Company, Sofia, BulgariaShareholder and CEO
1997- PAGE Real Estate Company, Sofia, Bulgaria
  • Member of the Board of Directors

  • 1998-2002 World of Music Association, Cultural Forum Foundation, Bulgaria
  • Member of the Board

  • 1998-2002 Union of Bulgarian Foundations and Associations, Sofia, Bulgaria
  • Chairman of the Auditing Council

1999-Bulgarian Business Leaders’s Forum, Sofia, BulgariaMember of the Advisory Board
2001-Rotary Club Sofia Vitosha, Sofia, Bulgaria
2003-Bulgarian Charities Aid Foundation, Sofia, BulgariaPresident
Languages
English, Spanish, Russian, German

Ambassador Michael Ussery

Ambassador Michael Ussery is an international business developer, working extensively in East Europe and the Mid-East. Previously he was U.S. Ambassador to Morocco during Presidents Reagan and Bush.
Overall, he has 11 years of experience at the U.S. State Department as a political appointee of both Presidents. His roles included serving as a Director of Congressional and Press relations, White House Liaison, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Near East and South Asia, and Chairman of the 12 agency Libya Task Force. In government he held senior positions during the Libya conflict, Gulf War, Afghan War, Cold War and Mid-East peace process. Prior to State Department, he graduated from Newberry College and began his Washington career 1979 – 81 as Chief of Staff to Congressman Carroll Campbell.
During the past decade, he was worked with more than sixty (60) companies and organizations, including numerous Fortune 500 and top international corporations, on public affairs and / or international business development, including organizing major investments in East Europe. Further, he has experience working in 35 countries during his government and business career.
Ambassador Ussery is a veteran of seven presidential and congressional campaigns. During the 1988 Bush – Qualyle Campaign, he resigned from the State Department to be Deputy to Campaign Manager Lee Atwater and work closely with current President George W. Bush. Following the 1988 campaign he was named Ambassador to Morocco. For the 2000 Bush – Cheney Campaign he was a fund raising Vice Chairman, advisor on international policies, and Arkansas field manager.
Michael Ussery serves on the Board of Directors of D’SAL, Inc. (patented desalination) and is a founder and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Romania Moldova Direct Fund. He is an advisor to General Dynamics, Murex Investments, Advantiv, State of Georgia Department of Industry, Washington Times, Erkiletian Construction and several other U.S. companies.
Non-profit boards include the United Seaman’s Service (maritime), the Tangier Legation Museum (oldest overseas U.S. property), and the Lee Atwater Foundation (college scholarships to needy students). Ussery also is President of the Coordinating Council for International Universities.
Tel: 540-347-5576Fax: 540-347-3350E-Mail: meussery@earthlink.net