The Director of Tula State University’s Regional Innovative Consulting Center, Dr. Roman Rostislavov, spent two weeks in the Capital Region in October 2011. He was here at the invitation of M&A advisory firm Schwartz Heslin Group where he completed a professional internship doing business valuations.
He also visited BullEx, Inc. an innovative technology company devoted to crafting smart technology to develop life-saving products. Some of their revolutionary safety products include smoke generators, fire extinguishers, training services and rescue manikins and props. Roman met the management team and enjoyed lunch with ATA Board Chair Jerry Shaye. The goal of the visit with BullEx, Inc. was to become acquainted with a Capital Region company that Roman’s students would later do market research for (see related story on our Business & Economic Development page.)
We are grateful to Dr. Rostislavov for writing the following essay upon his return to Tula:
“I was introduced to the Albany-Tula Alliance in 2007 when I received an award for an essay I wrote called “Next step to IFRS.” Thanks to the Alliance, I got the opportunity to intern at Sparkasse bank in Tula’s other sister-city, Villingen-Schwenningen in Germany. It was a great project, and two sister-cities from different countries helped make it happen.
So I asked myself: “Why can’t this happen in Albany, NY?” So I inquired with the Alliance. They liked the idea and set out to find a company that could host me for a couple of weeks. It was a difficult challenge because of the world financial crisis, but, finally, in 2011 I got the chance to intern at a consulting company called Schwartz Heslin Group.
It was my first visit to the United States and there were dozens of things I was exposed to for the first time like Russian salad dressing (not found in Russia), an early snow fall in October and professionally – a business evaluation.
During my internship, I helped oversee the strategies of several projects. I learned the main aspects of financial analysis, market analysis, and strategic planning. These responsibilities helped me better my skills in my current position as Managing Director of the Regional Innovative Consulting Center at Tula State University.
During my stay in New York, I shared in both the business culture and the American culture. My host families included Hannelore Wilfert and Karl Moschner. They opened up their beautiful house for my two-week stay. I experienced Halloween by handing out candy to trick and treaters at Jan Smith’s comfortable home. And, I attended a wonderful performance by the Albany Symphony Orchestra as well as a Broadway musical at Proctors Theater in Schenectady, NY. The Metropolitan Opera in NYC was the ‘icing on the cake!”
Other activities included attending a lecture at Union Graduate College for MBA students with Gerald Shaye, Executive Chair of the Alliance, and a visit to BullEx Digital Safety company. BullEx manufactures smart fire safety training tools for firefighters, safety officers and other emergency responders. My students at Tula State University are currently collaborating with BullEx by providing market research.
In two short weeks, I got to be a part of so many events that I could write endlessly about my impressions. The most important thing is that I became acquainted with foreigners who quickly became life-long friends. This internship has benefited me greatly, both in my future career and my worldview.”