The Russia and West Virginia Foundation

The Russia and West Virginia Foundation has become a reality because of the support and involvement of a global community. The Foundation (all volunteers) has developed partnerships which impact the future of education, culture, business and communities.

Many of the activities of the Foundation are based in the Moscow suburb of Korolev (formally Kaliningrad). Until September 1992, Korolev was a closed city because it was the space center of the former Soviet Union.  Korolev has a population of 200,000 highly educated citizens. The city is only 15 miles from Moscow and allows the visitor easy access to the Moscow Kremlin, Red Square, the Bolshoi Theater and much more.

All of the Russian directors of the Foundation live in Korolev.

Numerous delegations of West Virginians, along with others, have traveled to Russia representing the four focus areas of the Foundation: education, culture, business and community.

The activities of the Foundation began as a statewide project but have increased their scope to involve people from all over the United States. Russia is the last frontier and opportunities are only limited by our
imagination. The Foundation is organized as a non-profit corporation and promotes alliances and interchanges that focus on global commitment to a higher quality of life.

The Russia and West Virginia: A Partnership for Exchange Foundation, Inc. Is organized as a non-profit corporation and promotes alliances and interchanges that focus on global commitment to a higher quality of life. The Foundation focuses upon the areas of business, education, culture and community. The directors from Russia and West Virginia are:
John Board: Businessman; Charleston
Victor Daminov: Businessman; Korolev
Nadia Kochkareva: Bussinesswoman; Korloev
Larry Kopelman: Attorney and Businessman; Charleston
Ruth Lilly: Educator,Myrtle Beach, SC
John MacCallum: Physician; Logan
David McChesney: Educator; Sutton, WV
Lyle Sattes: Businessman and former Legislator; Charleston
Anatoly Saveliev: Cultural Director, Kremlin
Virginia Simmons: Horry Co. Schools, Director of the Connect Program, 5639 Highway 701 N, Conway, SC 29526
Alexey Tcheremnykh: 6007 Rolling Green Dr., Grand Blanc, MI 48439
The Russia and West Virginia Foundation is a non-profit volunteer organization formed to promote business, education and cultural exchanges between Russia and the United States. The Foundation was formed in January of 1993 by a group of educators and business leaders from West Virginia and friends in Korolev (then known as Kaliningrad), Russia. The exchange program has led to numerous person to person exchanges and has been a learning experience for all involved. While the foundation is based in, and centered around West Virginia, participants in the exchanges range all over the United States.

THE RUSSIA & WEST VIRGINIA FOUNDATION IS A 501c3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.  ALL DONATIONS ARE APPRECIATED. Many of you continue to send money that is designated to support our Russian students here, our American students here that are closely associated with the Foundation and our American students in Russia. Others send donations for other projects. All are very much appreciated. This is a unique organization because none of the Board of Directors receive salaries or compensations. We are like you, we just care enough about this partnership that we are willing to share part of our time and life to making it work.

The Russia and West Virginia Foundations gratefully acknowledges the support of Friends and Partners.  Without their support, this Internet Homepage would not be possible.   Go to the Friends and Partners Home Page