Andrei Sharonov joined the SKOLKOVO team in September 2013. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Mayor in the Moscow Government for economic policy. Mr. Sharonov was born in Ufa in 1964. He graduated from Ufa State Aviation Technical University and the Russian Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation; holds a Ph.D. in sociological science. From 1989-1991 Mr. Sharonov was People’s Deputy of the USSR, and until 1996 was Chairman of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Youth Affairs. Between 1996 and 2007 he served in the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation as department head, deputy minister and state secretary. From 2007 through 2010 Mr. Sharonov was managing director and chairman of the Board of Directors of Troika Dialog Investment Company, and headed the investment banking business. Andrei is a Chairman of the Board of NefteTransService LLC and ОАО Management Company «Eco-System», member of the Management Board of such companies as OAO Rosgeologia, OAO Sofkomflot, OAO NOVATEK, member of Supervisory Council of VTB Bank and Moscow Exchange. By directive of the Moscow Mayor dated 22 December 2010, Mr. Sharonov was appointed Deputy Mayor in the Moscow Government for Economic Policy overseeing budgeting, state procurements, industry and policy in support of entrepreneurship, regulating the trade and services market. He was chairman of the Regional Energy Commission. Mr. Sharonov is a deputy Head of the Executive Committee of the Moscow Urban Forum. Mr. Sharonov was awarded the Aristos prize for “Independent Director” in 2009, the national award “Director of the Year – 2009” for “Independent Director” and the international award “Person of the Year – 2012” for “Business Reputation”. Mr. Sharonov was awarded the Order of Honour and is an Honoured Economist of the Russian Federation.