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Sergei Chemezov

Sergei Chemezov is an influential part of an elite group of former spies and security men known as the Siloviki. Closely identified with one of the Kremlin's shadowy siloviki clans, was appointed by a presidential decree on November 26, 2007 as the Director General of Rostec. He holds a military rank of Colonel general. Chemezov is a trusted ally of President Putin, whom he has known since the 1980s when they lived in the same apartment complex in East Germany. The two served as KGB operatives in East Germany. Chemezov does not deny knowing Putin for a long time throught work. “Indeed, we worked in the German Democratic Republic around the same time ... Lived in one house, and discussed both work and other things like neighbors do.”

Chemezov was born on August 20, 1952, in Cheremkhovo, Irkutsk Oblast. In 1975, Chemezov graduated with honors from the Irkutsk Institute of National Economics. He also completed the Higher Courses of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. He has a PhD in Economics. He began his career at the Irkutsk Scientific Research Institute of Rare and Non-ferrous Metals.

From 1980–1988 Chemezov worked in the Luch experimental-industrial association. From 1983 until 1988, he managed Luch’s representative office in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). In 1988–1996 Chemezov was Deputy CEO of the Foreign Trade Association Sovintersport. From 1996–1999 he was head of the Foreign Relations Office of the President of the Russian Federation, from 1999–2001 Head of Promexport, and from 2001–2007 First Deputy CEO, CEO of Rosoboronexport.

The decision in 2007 to put military hardware exports under Rosoboronexport is seen in some quarters as buttressing dark horse presidential hopeful and Rosoboronexport Chairman Sergey Chemezov. Although both Medvedev and Ivanov continued, after Putin, to command the lion's share of television new time, the continued lack of clarity and the near-exclusive concentration of Medvedev, after his Davos speech, on the National Projects, prompted much speculation that another successor was being groomed. Among those briefly thought to be in line were Deputy Prime Minister Naryshkin, Rosoboroneksport's Chemezov, Russian Railroad's Yakunin, and even Prime Minister Zubkov. With Putin's 01 October 2007 decision to lead United Russia into the Duma elections, media attention focused almost exclusively on the President, and Medvedev.

Chemezov appeared intent on acquiring the assets of the companies' potential competitors and rivals. some within the elite took advantage of perceived weakness during the transition to pursue their agendas: Mikhail Fridman's moves against TNK-BP and Sergey Chemezov's accelerated campaign to draw more state assets into Rostekhnologiya. Medvedev's and First Deputy Premier Shuvalov's speeches at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum in 2008 were against state corporations, but not setting any real policies against them as being a realistic approach for dealing with the "snowball" effect of Putin pal Sergey Chemezov's ever-expanding holding company, Rostekhnologii. Medvedev's supporters like Usmanov did not have sufficient political heft to offset that of Chemezov.

Rostekhnologiya head Sergey Chemezov would have virtually unlimited resources" at his disposal, and had a reputation for being corrupt.

Since 2 December 2006, Mr. Chemezov has been part of the Office of the Supreme Council of The United Russia Party. Since 27 April 2007, he has been President of the Union of Machine-Builders of Russia, an all-Russian industry association of employers. Since 28 April 2007, Chemezov has been Chairman of the same organisation. Chemezov serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the following companies: Rosoboronexport, VSMPO-AVISMA, Almaz - Antey, Kamaz, and Uralkali. He is Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of AvtoVAZ. Chemezov serves on the Boards of Directors of United Aircraft Corporation, United Shipbuilding Corporation, Aeroflot, International Financial Club, and Alliance Rostec Auto BV. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the state-owned United Rocket and Space Corporation. Sergei Chemezov was one of the Russian Government’s nominees for the Board of Directors of Rosneft, a Russian state-owned oil company. He was selected for the Rosneft Board on June 20, 2013.

Sergey Chemezov is a member of the Academy of Military Sciences, a Doctor of Economics, and a professor. Chemezov is [said to be] the author of over 140 scientific papers, including studies entitled “Military and technical cooperation between Russia and foreign states: the experience of organisational design” (2001); “Strategic management of Russia’s defence industry and military and technical cooperation” (2006); “Russian military and technical cooperation in XXI century: theory, methodology, and practice” (2007); “Strategic management of military and technical innovations in integrated corporate structures” (2009); “Multinational and state corporations: Macrologistical and practical foundations of development strategies in high technology” (2012); “Corporate governance for holding companies producing radioelectronic products for general and specific use” (2012); “State policy in the field of high technology” (2012); and others.

As the head of Rostec Corporation, he greatly values the training of young professionals. As of 2015, Rostec cooperated with 214 universities. In addition, Chemezov devoted special attention to the revival of research and development work. On his initiative, the corporation recruited the legendary scientist Y.N.Koptev [ the general director of Roskosmos ] to serve as the chairman of the Scientific and Technical Council.

Chemezov is a member of the commission on military-technical cooperation between Russia and foreign states, through which he actively advocates for Russia to maintain and strengthen its position as the largest player in the global market for military products.

The CEO of Rostec Corporation has received the Russian State Prize for Science and Technology in 2004 and the Suvorov Academy of Military Sciences Prize. He has been named as an Honorary Doctor of Plekhanov Russian Economic University and St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University. He was awarded the Order of Honor (2002), the Order of Friendship (2009), and the Orders For Services to the Fatherland II degree (2012), III degree (2007), and IV degree (2005), as well as numerous Soviet and Russian medals.

He has awards from various sources, including the Russian Orthodox Church, including the Order of St. Sergius I degree, Order of the Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow III degree, and Order of the Blessed Saint Grand Prince Dmitry Donskoy II degree. In March 2010, Chemezov was awarded the French Legion of Honor for his significant contribution to Russian-French cooperation in high-tech production.

On 28 April 2014 the US Department of the Treasury designated seven Russian government officials, including two key members of the Russian leadership’s inner circle, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13661. E.O. 13661 authorizes sanctions on, among others, officials of the Russian Government and any individual or entity that is owned or controlled by, that has acted for or on behalf of, or that has provided material or other support to, a senior Russian government official.

“In the April 17 Geneva Joint Statement, Russia agreed to take concrete steps to deescalate the situation in Ukraine, but has thus far utterly refused to do so,” said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen. “From the very outset of Russia’s illegitimate and unlawful actions in Ukraine, we have been clear: The United States, acting on its own and alongside our international partners, will impose increasing costs on Russia if it persists in its efforts to destabilize Ukraine and will hold Russia accountable for its provocative actions.”

In cases such as this where an individual is sanctioned but not the company they run, international businesses can still deal with the company, although it could impact relations. Under US sanctions, a US person should not do anything that benefits a sanctioned person, or provides value to him.