Mikhail AKULOV
Vice-President
Russian Railways
General Director
Federal Passenger Company

Born in 1960.
He graduated from the Moscow Institute of Railway Transport Engineers in 1982, specialising as an electro-mechanical railway engineer, and in 1998, from the Academy of National Economy under the Government of the Russian Federation.
He worked on the Moscow railway. He progressed from electric Locomotive Workshop Team Leader to Head of the Locomotive Depot at the Moscow Kievsky passenger station.
From 1992 to 1998, he was Chief Safety Inspector for train traffic, then First Deputy Head of the Moscow-Smolensk section of the Moscow railway.
From 1998 to 1999, he was Deputy Head of the Moscow railway, then Head of the Moscow-Kursk section.
From 1999 to 2000, he was First Deputy Head of the South-Eastern Railway.
From 2000 to 2002, he was Head of the South-Eastern Railway.
From 2002 to 2003, he was Deputy Minister of Railways of the Russian Federation.
In 2003–2004, he was First Deputy Minister of Railways of the Russian Federation.
From March 2004 to November 2005, he was Head of the Federal Agency for Railway Transport of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation.
In November 2005, he was appointed Vice-President of RZD.
In May 2009, he was appointed Vice-President and Managing Director of the Federal Passenger Directorate.
Since April 2010, he has been Vice-President and General Director of the Federal Passenger Company.

Galina ANDREEVA
Deputy Director of Department for International Cooperation
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation

Graduated from the Moscow State University, Department of Art History. Ph.D., in October 1998 (Anglo-Russian artistic links of the second half of the 18th – first third of 19th century) and Moscow State University, Department of Art History
in June 1983 (senior honors). Specialization in Russian and European Art
(1700-1900).
From 1976 to 1978 - Technician of the State Tretyakov Gallery.
From 1978 to 1983 - Junior Researcher of the State Tretyakov Gallery.
From 1983- 1988 - Junior Researcher of the State Tretyakov Gallery (Dept. of the 18th-19th century art).
From 1988 to 1998, - Senior Researcher of the State Tretyakov Gallery (Department of  the18th-19th century art).
From 1999 to 2006, was appointed as Head of Research and Projects of the State Tretyakov Gallery.
From 2007 to 2008, headed the Department  of PR& Projects State Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. 
From 2002 to 2007,  -  Member, Editorial Board of the Tretyakov Gallery(bilingual art magazine).
In 2004 –  Member, Editorial Board of the Sobranie (magazine on Russian art).
From 2008 – spring 2011 - Executive Director, Russian Committee of  International Council of Museums (ICOM/ UNESCO).
She has got the following Fellowships: Visiting Fellow, Yale Center for British Art, New Haven (USA) in 2003; Senior Research Fellow, The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art (research in New Zealand) in 1991. Visiting Fellow, Darwin College, Cambridge (Great Britain) in 1990 – 1991.
She has got the following Memberships: International Committee of Museums of Fine arts of  International Council of Museums  (ICFA,ICOM/ UNESCO) Board member, since 2007. Scientific Secretary, National Committee of History
of Art (CIHA), 1998- 2003. Moscow Union of Artists, member  since 2002.  International Council  of Museums (ICOM/ UNESCO), member since  2005.
She has got a State Prize of Russian Federation  in Literature and Art in 2004,
Medal of the Order for the Honors to Motherland in 2002, Medal to the 850th anniversary of Moscow in1997.

Ignacio BARRON DE ANGOITI
Director of Passengers and High Speed
International Union of Railways

Born in 1956.
In 1993 – MBA (Development of Managers) at IESE Business School, Madrid
In 1982 – Civil Engineer (“Caminos, Canales y Puertos”), Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona
Experience at the International Union of Railways (UIC):
From November 2009, Director of the Passenger, High Speed and Stations Department, as well as Coordinator of Latin America Region of the International Union of Railways. Among other functions, responsibility on the Passengers activity (Technical and Commercial Groups, TAP – European Telematic Applications, etc.), on the High Speed Division (which includes the organisation of the annual UIC’s Training on High Speed Systems and the World Congress on High Speed Rail) and the Stations Division (which includes the organisation of the Congress “Next Station”). June 2007 – November 2009: Director of High Speed, Metre Gauge and Coordinator of Latin America Region of International Union of Railways. 1997 – June 2007: Senior Advisor in High Speed, UIC Headquarters, Paris, representing Spanish Railways.
Experience at RENFE (Spanish Railways):
From 1994 to 1997 - Manager in major Passenger Stations Division (Madrid Region).
From 1991 to 1994 - Operations Manager in High Speed Stations (Madrid-Atocha).
From 1990 to 1991 - Senior Advisor for South American business Area, at the International Affairs Division.
From 1987 to 1990 - Chief of Technical Studies at the Direction of Communications.
From 1987 to 1988 - Planning and Management Controlling Direction.
From 1981 to 1987 - Commercial Department.

Stasys DAILYDKA
General Director
Lithuanian Railways

Born in 1953.
Graduated from faculty of Mechanics of Vilnius Engineering Institute (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University) gaining
qualification of mechanical engineer.
1975 – 1987 worked as engineer and then manager of various transport enterprises in Lithuania.
1987 – 1992 Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
1991 – 1995 President of Lithuanian Road Carriers Association Linava, Vice-president of Lithuanian Industrialist
Confederation.
1992 – 1997 Director General of aviation company Lietuvos avialinijos (En: Lithuanian Airlines), Chairman of the board.
1997 – 2001 President of Lindra life insurance since 1993 the member of the board.
2002 – 2006 Head of Passenger Transportation Directorate of SC Lithuanian Railways.
Since 29 March 2006 Director General of SC Lithuanian Railways.
Actively supports railway engineers organization activity by stimulating discussions within Vilnius Industry and
Business Association, railway industry association GELPA. Member of Lithuanian Industry Confederation, Chairman of
the Lithuanian Intermodal Transport Technological Platform (LITTP), honorary member of Vilnius Gediminas Technical
University and member of presidium of Lithuanian Industry Confederation.

Dmitry GORIN
General Director
V.I.P. Service

Born in 1967.
Graduated from the Moscow Energy Institute in 1992.   
Has worked in the tourist industry since 1992.   
Served as the Head of INNA TOUR company for 12 years.
Over the past seven years, has been Commercial Director of VIP Service, promoted to General Director in 2011. Chairman of the Transport Committee at the Association of Tour Operators of Russia and a member of the Expert Council
of the Commission on Youth Affairs and Tourism of the Federation Council
of Russia.  

Rieck GOTTFRIED
Chief Executive Officer
Austria Majestic Imperator Train De Luxe Wagon Charter

Born in 1948.
1955 – 1959 - Primary School in Vienna.
1959 - 1963 - Middle School in Vienna.
1963 - Apprenticeship in the training workshop of the ÖBB in Vienna Penzing .
1966 - Qualifies as an electrician and technician.
1966 - Completes training as a traction vehicle driver.
1969 - Passes the national examination for electric traction vehicles.
1970 - Passes the national examination for steam engine and larger boiler attendant
Examination for train-borne facilities, passes all examinations for steam engines in
Austria and for 17 types of electric locomotives in Austria and Germany.
1972 - Becomes the youngest driver of high-speed trains and holds various posts of commissioning.
1985 - Qualifies as head of a railway administrative section and serves as the chief driver in the largest train department in western Austria.
1988 - Joins headquarters of Vienna Railways and is appointed Manager of Operations in charge of all diesel engines at Vienna Railways; also placed in charge of all drivers.
1996 - Is leased out to Majestic Imperator as Director of Operations.
1998 - Retires from Federal Austrian Railways after 35 years of service.
1999 - Fully dedicates his time to Majestic Imperator Train De Luxe in the capacity of General Manager.
2005 - Takes full control of the company, in the capacity of CEO.

René de GROOT
Managing Director
Eurail Group G.I.E.

Born in 1956.
He graduated HAVO ( High School with UE ), Eindhoven, the Netherlands in 1974, BA – School of Journalism, Utrecht University, the Netherlands (1974-1978), BA ­– Marketing, Auckland University, Auckland, New Zealand ( 1985 ).
In 1993 graduated NIMA A & B ( Basic & Advanced Marketing degrees), in 1994 Strategic Management, Advanced Presentation skills & Effective Leadership,  Organizational Management & Advanced Negotiation in 1996.
Since 1979 –1981 - (prior to emigrating to New Zealand) NBBS Travel, Office Manager.
Since 1981-1991 - Adventure Travel & STA Travel, Sales & Marketing Manager New Zealand & Australia.
Since 1991-1992 - Thomas Cook, Corporate Sales Manager Netherlands.
Since 1992-1995 - Diners Club Benelux, Corporate Sales Manager Benelux.
Since 1995 - 2000 - Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Vice President Global Payment Systems EMEA.
Field Sales Director Northern Zone, Sales & Marketing Director Benelux.
Since 2000 –2001, Miradiant Global Network, Inc., Vice President – Sales and Marketing EMEA.
Since 2001 –2002 - Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Vice President Strategic Sales EMEA.
Since 2003 – Present Eurail Group GIE, Managing Director.

Gunther JANUTH
Mayor of Merano

Born in 1950.
In 1972 - Matura at the "Franziskanergymnasium" in Bolzano/Bozen.
In 1976 - Master level degree in Law.
In 1977 - Accounts Office of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen.
In 1978 - Military service.
From 1979 to 1981 Head of the Town Account Office of Merano/Meran (BZ).
From 1981 to 1993 Town Secretary-General in Lana (BZ).
From 1994 to 2005 Secretary-General of the Burgraviato/Burggrafenamt District.
Since 2005 Mayor of Merano/Meran (reelected in May 2010).

Yuri KARADZHOV
Business Development Director
Transport and Travel Sector
Consulting Department
IBM Central and Eastern Europe/Asia

Is IBM Business Development Director in the Central and Eastern Europe/Asia region. Before starting work in this region he was managing consultant in Travel &Transportation practice in IBM USA. He has 15 years’ experience and expertises in the field of transport and the motor vehicle industry.
In the transport sector he has worked with railway and logistics companies and air carriers, he provides strategic consulting (business and IT) and business process re-engineering services, and assistance in change management, improving financial indicators and increasing the efficiency of company’s operations as a whole.
He has experience and specialises in the following fields: optimising business processes and drawing up strategies, pricing and revenue management, and long-range forecasting and modelling of development scenarios. He has worked in these areas with companies in the USA, South America and the Middle East, improving their pricing and tariffs, their product portfolios and business processes.
Before joining IBM, he worked as a lead consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers, and then as a partner with Fenix (USA), a specialist consulting company providing services in optimising profitability for railway and air transport companies. He also held the post of lead terminal manager in a leading transport company in Great Britain. As an IBM expert he has worked with various clients and led consultancy projects in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Middle East countries and Africa. He has an MBA degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, USA.

Alexey MESHKOV
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Italy and the Republic of San Marino
Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Food Programme

Born in 1959.
Graduated from Moscow State Institute of International Relations under the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1981.
Has worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs system from 1981. Has worked at various diplomatic posts in the ministry’s central administration and abroad.
In 1981-1986, standby desk officer, attaché and third secretary at the USSR Embassy in Spain.
In 1986-1992, third, second and first secretary and director of the Scientific and Technical Cooperation Department under the USSR and Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 
In 1992-1997, first secretary, advisor and senior advisor at the Russian Embassy in Spain.
In 1997-1998, Deputy Director of the European Cooperation Department under the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In 1998-2001 (September), Director of the Foreign Political Planning Department.
From November 2000, member of the Collegium of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
From September 2001-January 2004, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
From 20 January 2004, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Italy.
From 27 February 2004, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of San Marino (concurrently).
From 2 September 2006, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Food Programme (concurrently).
Holds the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Awards:
Order of Honour (Presidential Decree of the Russian Federation No. 587 dated 14 May 2010)
Order of Friendship (Presidential Decree of the Russian Federation No. 1560 dated 22 November 1999)
Gratitude of the President of the Russian Federation (Russian Presidential Decree No. 70-RP dated 11 February 2008)
Certificate of Merit of the Government of the Russian Federation (Russian Governmental Decree No. 1296-r of 18 September 2007)
Certificate of Merit of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Order of Holy Prince of Moscow Daniil, I Degree
Holds several agency and public awards.

Alexander SHAMSHIEV
CEO
RZD-Travel

Born in 1960.
Graduated from the Kaliningrad State University in 1982, faculty – geography, majoring in oceanology.
Since 1991 holds various positions in tourist business. Has founded the first private company in Kaliningrad.
In 2008 – Deputy CEO in “Neva” company’s Moscow office.
Since 2010 – CEO of “RZD-Travel” tourist holding.

Vincenzo SOPRANO
Chief Executive Officer
Trenitalia

Born in 1957.
Graduated from La Sapienza University of Rome in 1981 (degree in electrical engineering); Enrico Mattei Business School in 1982 (MBA).
Extensive experience in national and international industrial groups;

Since Sept. 2006, chief executive officer of Trenitalia SpA (Ferrovie dello Stato Group's transport company); Since May 2007 President of FS Logistica SpA (Ferrovie dello Stato Group’s cargo company); Since Aug. 2009 President of TLN Srl (managing company for local transportation in Lombardia  Region).

Dmitry VITCHINKA
General Director
Telecom Express

Mr. Vitchinka has graduated the State University of Tver, Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Cybernetics and has the Master's degree in Mathematics. He also took various programs in the fields of situational management, staff management and sales.
Mr. Dmitry Vitchinka is the professional top-manager of multi-functional high-tech service companies andmanufacturing businesses. 
He has more than 15 years’ experience in IT- market segment. At different times till 2007 he headedseveral business units in MTS (the leading Russian mobile telesystems company). Since 2007 Mr. Vitchinka is the CEO of Telecom Express, LLC, one of the largest distributed outsourcing contact centers in Russia. 

Vladimir YAKUNIN
President
Russian Railways

Born in 1948.
Graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Mechanics as a Mechanical Engineer in 1972 and began his career as a junior research scientist at the State Institute of Applied Chemistry.
After completing military service in the Soviet Army, he worked as an engineer and senior engineer at the Administration of the State Committee of the Council of Ministers of the USSR for Foreign Trade and was also head of department at the A. F. Yoffe Physics and Technical Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.  From 1985 through 1991 he was Second and then First Secretary of the USSR’s Permanent Representative Office at the United Nations. He was then Chairman of the Board at the International Centre for Business Cooperation before becoming head of the North-Western Federal District Inspectorate of the Senior Control Department of the President of the Russian Federation. Since October 2000 - Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation. Since February 2002 - First Deputy Minister of Railway Transport of the Russian Federation.
Since October 2003, the Board of Russian Railways unanimously appointed Yakunin First Vice-President of the Company. Vladimir Yakunin was appointed president of Russian Railways by the Government of the Russian Federation in June 2005.