ALUMNI

Alumni Spotlight

Ilmars Rimsevics '89
Governor, Bank of Latvia

"My experience with The Fund of American Studies has given me a chance to become more keenly aware of events and trends in the world around us and to gain a better understanding of both macroeconomic and political processes. This has also helped me establish a number of valuable contacts," said Ilmars Rimsevics.

Ilmars Rimsevics, Gov. of the Bank of Latvia with Latvian President , Vaira Vike-Freiberga

"I would most definitely recommend this program to college students," he continued. "I know that quite a number of my compatriots have taken advantage of this opportunity. They have definitely broadened their outlook as a result. This is a good and interesting undertaking, worthwhile participating in.

Ilmars Rimsevics has been Governor of the Bank of Latvia since December 2001, after holding key central bank posts for almost a decade, including two consecutive terms as deputy governor.

He is a Riga Technical University graduate and holds an MBA degree since 1992 from Clarkson University, USA.

Rimsevics has been a part of the team overseeing Latvia's monetary policy when it reintroduced the national lat currency 10 years ago and has a six year term now to manage it as this Baltic country joins the European Union and gears up for eventual adoption of the euro.

More from Rimsevics:

"I would compare the Institute with a small plant nursery doing a good job planting trees in various countries. Your graduates are from different parts of the world. They are people who now have a better understanding of the American situation, and that is a precondition for future co-operation in solving problems that affect many."