Descendant of Tsarist Duma Speaker to Head AmCham in Russia

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – November 19, 2013) U.S.-born banker Alexis Rodzianko has been elected president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia, or AmCham, the chamber said Tuesday.

The previous president, Andrew Somers, announced earlier this year he would be departing to launch a new strategic consulting firm.

“We have the greatest confidence in Alex, who comes to us after a successful career in finance,” said Ron Pollett, president of GE in Russia and chairman of AmCham’s board.

Alexis Rodzianko held senior positions in IFC Metropol, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, and JP Morgan in Moscow from 1995 through 2013. Previously he was a senior emerging markets banker at Chemical Bank in New York.

Rodyznko is a great-grandson of Mikhail Rodzyanko, chairman of the Russian Empire’s State Duma in 1911 to 1917.

“I look forward to further strengthening AmCham, building on the extraordinary accomplishments of Andrew Somers,” said Mr. Rodzianko. “I will do so in close cooperation with AmCham’s 700 members, our board, staff, and the international and Russian business communities.”

“AmCham continues to be the leading foreign business association in Russia,” said Mr. Pollett. “We are grateful to Andrew Somers for his unparalleled business advocacy on behalf of AmCham member companies. And we look forward to working with Alex Rodzianko as he now leads AmCham to meet the challenges and needs of the international business community in Russia.”