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Michael Bleyzer is the founder of SigmaBleyzer and the developer of its business model, which blends the best of Western business practices with extensive regional experience in former Soviet bloc countries.

Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Mr. Bleyzer was raised and educated in the Soviet Union, graduating from the Kharkiv Institute of Radioelectronics with a Master of Science in digital electronics and quantum physics. His career took him to Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, before he came to the U.S. in 1978 where he became an American citizen. Mr. Bleyzer then embarked on a career in finance and management, which over 15 years at Exxon and Ernst & Young included a variety of operational, management and executive positions in Texas, Louisiana and Europe.

Mr. Bleyzer co-founded SigmaBleyzer Investment Group, LLC in 1994. Since its founding, SigmaBleyzer has invested primarily in the emerging markets of Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union. SigmaBleyzer’s approach to private equity investments in emerging markets is operational level value creation combined with advocacy of the economic reforms supported by The Bleyzer Foundation. With offices in Houston, Kiev, Kharkiv, Sofia, Bucharest, Washington, Amsterdam and Almaty, SigmaBleyzer manages approximately one billion dollars in assets. SigmaBleyzer managed funds have made over 100 investments in a variety of industry sectors and have realized over 90 exits.

Mr. Bleyzer and his company are fully committed to helping countries make successful transitions to market economies, and helping investors reap valuable rewards. In 2001, the Bleyzer family established The Bleyzer Foundation to help the countries of the Former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in their transition to market economy. Since 2001, the Foundation has funded benchmarking and statistical analysis work analyzing the government policies of 128 developing countries and transition economies, which led to the development of the economic policy framework for transition economies.

Mr. Bleyzer has appeared on CNBC as an expert on emerging markets investment and frequently speaks at investment conferences around the world. Mr. Bleyzer has served on the Board of Directors of the Houston Holocaust Museum and on the Texas Emerging Technology Fund Advisory Committee, and currently serves on the Thunderbird Private Equity Center Executive Advisory Board, the Thunderbird Global Council, and the Advisory Board of the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA).