Michael A. Fortier Managing Director: Slavia Capital Vienna, Austria Advisory Council Member, Regional Coordinator Financial and Central European Affairs Advisor

Michael A. Fortier has been one of the leading investment bankers focusing on Central and Eastern Europe for decades, having held the position of Managing Director and Head of Central and Eastern Europe for four of the world's largest and most successful "bulge bracket" investment banks during this period including Salomon Brothers, Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan.

Mr. Fortier also has been closely involved with a number of Apogee's initiatives in the region beginning at the time of Russia's financial and banking crisis in 1998: when, at the behest of Apogee's President, he arranged for full commerical banking services to be provided by Deutsche Banke (the world's largest bank at that time) to Russian performing arts institutions.

Apogee subsequently requested that Mr. Fortier serve as Chairman of the Board of a major international fundraising vehicle for a marquee Russian performing arts institution.

Mr. Fortier has provided financial and other management advice and assistance to the Foundation since the year 1998.