Our Team

Rebuilding Ukraine Agency – Alexander is the co-founder and Chairman of the Board of the Rebuilding Ukraine Agency and of Broad Street Capital Group, Alexander M. Gordin has served as an advisor to a number of public and privately held businesses, spearheading development, financing and management of communications, automotive services and alternative energy companies. With a significant number of cross-border financing assignments, as well as numerous mergers, acquisitions and divestitures to his credit, ranging in size from $0.3 to $444 million, Mr. Gordin possesses substantial negotiation skills and forensic due diligence tools.
Mr. Gordin is an international merchant banking professional with over 20 years of C-level experience providing cross-border strategic advisory services in the areas of export finance, international project finance, risk mitigation and business development. Clients include foreign governments, Fortune 500 corporations, municipalities and state enterprises. He has strong entrepreneurial instincts, combined with leadership and strategic skills as well as transactional and negotiations experience in over 30 countries.

Link: Rebuilding Ukraine Agency

REUNITE’s Ukraine Project Manager – Federation of Builders – Alexander’s professional experience and knowledge has been instrumental in assisting Rebuilding Ukraine Association Inc. (RUAI) in Ukraine during the startup of the REUNITE education program.  His passion to give back and help Ukraine has enabled RUAI to connect with many of its education stakeholders in Ukraine.  We at RUAI look forward to his guidance into the future.
Alexander O. Rotov is the Chairman of GERZ HOLDING, a privately held Group of Companies.   The company focus is construction and development within Eastern and Western Europe and specializes in energy-saving management, and alternative investments across Ukraine. In addition, Alexander was a member of European Economic Senate (EES), the Senator of EES from Ukraine from 2015 to 2020.
Alexander’s management experience totals almost 30 years across different industries, including coal mining, heavy industry, construction, and development. Prior to founding GERZ HOLDING in 2011, Alexander joined the Board of Directors of GERZ CONSTRUCTION LLC in 2006, as its main shareholder, and initiated the establishment of GERZ Construction Group of Companies, achieving a prominent position on the Ukrainian construction and development market.
Alexander graduated from Donbas National Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture in 1996 and holds a Presidential MBA from Kyiv Business School (2008).

Link: Confederation of Builders of Ukraine

Robert Keeley’s experience included positions in public accounting and corporate financial management in the 70’s and 80’s.   In those roles he consulted with senior management in a variety of construction-related industries, including steel (rebar) manufacturers and various building product suppliers, including one company focused on export of steam management products through ARAMCO. Moving to a new career in the 90’s, he held positions in sales management and consulting in the built environments industry. His experience includes consultative engagements with clients in corporate, healthcare, and higher education.   He also holds certification as an instructor of a leading program focused on major project management with a primary focus on understanding the focus of the varied influencers involved in major projects.  Now retired, he welcomes the opportunity to work with the RUAI board and management team to ensure that the organization achieves its stated near and long-term goals for Ukraine’s recovery.  He holds a BSBA degree from Babson College, acknowledged as the nation’s leading educational institution with a focus on Entrepreneurship.

President/Owner/Senior Project Manager, Creative Environmental Solutions, Inc. (CES),
Brooksville, Florida.

CES is responsible for management of interdisciplinary environmental, engineering, and
geological projects, including contamination assessments, feasibility studies, sinkhole
evaluations, rock and mineral prospecting, land development ventures, mining operations, and
permitting (e.g., water use, environmental resource, industrial waste, air, water use, NPDES).
Mr. Foster Specializes in Geology, Hydrogeology, Environmental Permitting, Contamination
Assessment, Storage Tank Management, Groundwater Studies, Environmental and Exploration
Drilling, Mineral Prospecting, Phase I/Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, Clay and
Industrial Mineralogy, Portland Cement Chemistry, Waste Solidification/Stabilization
Education: MS in Geology, 1985, University of Florida. Graduate GPA 4.0/4.0 – BA in Geology,
1981, University of South Florida.

Trimble Inc. – Ukraine Special Projects Director. Building on experience as a Russia specialist in US Army military intelligence, Tom Austin has led efforts by US consulting, construction, mining, and power generation firms throughout the former Soviet Union for over 25 years, most recently leading Trimble’s humanitarian aid and commercial efforts in Ukraine.  Tom holds an MBA in international business from HEC Paris

Trimble’s 14,000 employees across the world transform the way the world works by connecting the physical and digital worlds through hardware, software, and services across agriculture, construction, geospatial, and transportation. Trimble enables better decision-making by connecting the right information with the right people. It starts with understanding the value and context of available data, then using it to digitally transform project delivery and asset resilience. Trimble has been active in Ukraine, directly and through our agriculture, geospatial (digital surveying and mapping), and construction channel partners for over 15 years.

Link: Trimble

Dibrova farms ltd – Official advisor to the Makariv district on a voluntary basis.

Roman Fedorowycz has 31 years’ experience in the Ukrainian market having consulted Coca-Cola, Shell, Seagram’s, Renaissance Capital, and numerous large agro holdings.
He currently has a 5000-acre organic farm in Rivne Oblast.

From the start of the Russian invasion, he has personally raised donations and is also aiding Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and Ukraine Friends in ongoing aid to the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Security Services of Ukraine (SBU), National Guard, Border Guards and others.

Mr Fedorowycz has helped the Makariv region attract a 16,000,000 euro grant from the European Union for the rebuilding of two kindergartens and remodeling a school and hospital. Also actively in talks with investors on building factories for building materials.
–  Languages: Fluent in English, Ukrainian, Russian, Spanish (moderate)

Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), Tamara Gallo-Olexy is the President Emeritus of the UCCA, the largest umbrella organization in the United States, representing nearly 2 million Americans of Ukrainian descent. Tamara has the distinction of being the first woman elected as President of UCCA. Prior to her two terms as President (2008-2016), she served as the Director of the Ukrainian National Information Service (1990-1995); was an American Advisor for Burson-Marsteller’s National Market Reform Educational Project in Lviv (1995-1996); and worked as a consultant specializing in project development of health programs, cultural exchanges and humanitarian assistance for such clients as New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and the Albert Schweitzer Institute for Humanities. She also conducted intercultural training programs for relocating employees for such companies as Prudential and CARUS (1996-1998). Ms. Gallo-Olexy has served as the Executive Director of UCCA’s National Office since 1998, where she spearheaded and managed civic education projects in post-independence Ukraine, including overseeing UCCA’s Election Observation Missions since the mid-1990s. In 2016, Tamara was awarded the Order of Princess Olga, III Class, by President Poroshenko of Ukraine. Tamara holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from The George Washington University; and a double major in history and political science from Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY. Tamara is married and is raising their three children with her husband, Mark.

Link: Ukraine Congress Committee of America

Mr. Bishop was a career foreign service officer with the US Department of State for twenty-two years.  He was a political specialist focused on East-West issues from the height of the Cold War through its waning years and up to America’s ultimate victory.  He held senior positions in US Embassies in East Berlin and Warsaw, and in Washington, DC.
From 1985 to 1990 he headed an interagency committee under National Security Council auspices, charged with developing policy options to encourage reform in the Soviet Union and the then Soviet Bloc.  After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Mr. Bishop retired from government.
Over the years his clients and teaming partners have come from the public and private sectors.  They include IBM, Price-Waterhouse, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Scientech, Inc., Garbersbau GmbH, Superfoss Construction A/S, and local and national government agencies and private firms in the Baltics, Russia, Ukraine and Central Asia.
Mr. Bishop holds a BA degree in International Affairs from Hunter College, City University of New York.

Robert Schmitz is a Representative to the United Nations Department of Global Communications with Pathways to Peace and has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council government body (ECOSOC). He is also the Founder and President of Think Greener, LLC, a global provider of educational content that fosters a sustainable and circular economy.
For 25+ years Mr. Schmitz has worked in the A&E industry practicing architecture and construction management with a specialty in sustainable design.
His passion is to help society and the built environment achieve a sustainable future. He has served as an advisor and board member to public and private organizations in New Jersey. He played an integral part in standing up two disaster- recovery programs located in New York and New Jersey.
Mr. Schmitz holds a Master of Architecture and a two-year Certificate in Sustainable Design from New Jersey Institute of Technology and a B.S. in Architecture from New York Institute of Technology.
Robert continues to be a leader in sustainability and the new economy. He believes that through education, new technologies, green jobs, local laws, increased public awareness, strengthened resiliency in communities, support from global governments and a level playing field we can achieve sustainability in the built environment.

The University of Florida, M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management – As director, Robert leads the day-to-day operations of the Rinker School.  He spends much of his time engaged with industry partners while supporting faculty, staff, and students in keeping the School as one of the most reputable construction management programs in the country while maintaining its global recognition.
Prior to his return to UF in July 2020, he served as a Senior Associate Dean for Globalization and Global Fellow at Purdue University.  As senior associate dean, he was responsible for the overall strategic planning and execution of all international activities on behalf of the Purdue Polytechnic.  He provided leadership for more than a dozen global collaborative partnerships across four continents. Robert was recognized with the Purdue’s 2019 Global Vision Award for his accomplishments in globalization.

Link: Univ. of Florida ME Rinker Sr. School of Construction

CDM Engineering Ukraine – Daniel Aspleaf is the Owner and Managing Director, and has a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Washington (USA) and has over 25 years of professional experience, 13 of them in Ukraine, Eastern Europe and the CIS countries.
Combining a background in the physical sciences with international business development, Mr. Aspleaf is experienced in developing and managing complex, large-scale infrastructure projects in various sectors, including civil and industrial construction, water, wastewater and solid waste management, transportation and energy-related infrastructure.
Mr. Aspleaf possesses a profound knowledge of the Ukrainian business environment, in particular related to infrastructure investments. This includes extensive experience with feasibility studies, procurement, tendering procedures, and project management particularly within the framework of FIDIC contract administration. Mr. Aspleaf has experience in the development and delivery of numerous seminars, trainings, workshops, and other capacity building and stakeholder engagement events over a range of topics, including to the state authorities.

Link: CDM Engineering Ukraine

President, Lang Development and Consulting Inc. – A seasoned executive with over thirty-five years of building and managing multi-million-dollar construction and materials companies and projects in domestic and international markets. Acknowledged for an ability to interface with foreign governments, comply with international regulations, create positive relations with clients, and be well received by executive leadership to develop, manage, and complete projects that return profit margins that meet or exceed projections.

Extremely knowledgeable of customs and business practices in the USA, Middle East, and Central European countries. International Projects: developing and managing numerous surface mining operations, hot mix asphalt, ready mix and block facilities, along with construction and consulting services have been completed in the countries of: Ukraine, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Poland and Russia.

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Robert Keeley’s experience included positions in public accounting and corporate financial management in the 70’s and 80’s.   In those roles he consulted with senior management in a variety of construction-related industries, including steel (rebar) manufacturers and various building product suppliers, including one company focused on export of steam management products through ARAMCO. Moving to a new career in the 90’s, he held positions in sales management and consulting in the built environments industry. His experience includes consultative engagements with clients in corporate, healthcare, and higher education.   He also holds certification as an instructor of a leading program focused on major project management with a primary focus on understanding the focus of the varied influencers involved in major projects.  Now retired, he welcomes the opportunity to work with the RUAI board and management team to ensure that the organization achieves its stated near and long-term goals for Ukraine’s recovery.  He holds a BSBA degree from Babson College, acknowledged as the nation’s leading educational institution with a focus on Entrepreneurship.

President/Owner/Senior Project Manager, Creative Environmental Solutions, Inc. (CES),
Brooksville, Florida.

CES is responsible for management of interdisciplinary environmental, engineering, and
geological projects, including contamination assessments, feasibility studies, sinkhole
evaluations, rock and mineral prospecting, land development ventures, mining operations, and
permitting (e.g., water use, environmental resource, industrial waste, air, water use, NPDES).
Mr. Foster Specializes in Geology, Hydrogeology, Environmental Permitting, Contamination
Assessment, Storage Tank Management, Groundwater Studies, Environmental and Exploration
Drilling, Mineral Prospecting, Phase I/Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, Clay and
Industrial Mineralogy, Portland Cement Chemistry, Waste Solidification/Stabilization
Education: MS in Geology, 1985, University of Florida. Graduate GPA 4.0/4.0 – BA in Geology,
1981, University of South Florida.

Director of Communications for the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America is often referred to as the most visible face of the Ukrainian American community. With a history of appearances on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, PBS, NPR, and other outlets, he assists Ukraine and its worldwide diaspora in getting its message out. At the United Nations, he is the Chair of the UN Affairs Committee for the Ukrainian World Congress, where he attends weekly briefings and committee meetings on behalf of the international assembly of all Ukrainian public organizations in the worldwide Ukrainian diaspora of over 20 million people. Outside of politics, Andrij is a consultant on issues surrounding Ukraine, Russia, Eastern European culture and identity, Catholic and Orthodox religious practices, and leadership and activism in a global world. In New York City, he cantors’ liturgical services at St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church, while maintaining an active schedule as a moderator and emcee at public events. Lastly, Mr. Dobriansky has been recognized in the United States as a “Master Artist of Ukrainian Arts,” and has performed at venues such as Citi Field, the Prudential Center, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall.

Michael Sawkiw is a former President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the leading representative organization of the Ukrainian American community. Since 1996, he has served as Director of the UCCA’s Washington, DC bureau – the Ukrainian National Information Service, and remains in this post presently.
Prior to arriving in Washington, Michael served as a financial analyst at AIG Financial Projects, Inc. in Westport, CT. and as a financial operations analyst at the General Electric Co. in Schenectady, NY.
Michael has a BS in Mathematics from Union College in Schenectady, NY, as well as an MBA in Corporate Finance from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He served as a correspondent for The Union Sentinel, an independent college-run newspaper, and was featured a featured writer in the Union College Undergraduate Review.
Michael is also Chairman of the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness and was instrumental in the establishment of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial in Washington, DC (unveiled in November 2015). He received a prestigious award His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church for his efforts in memorializing the victims of the Ukrainian Holodomor. In August 2017 and September 2021, Michael was awarded the Yaroslav the Wise state medal by Presidents Poroshenko and Zelensky for his advocacy work in Washington and the establishment of the Holodomor Memorial.
Michael is fluent in Ukrainian and has proficient knowledge of the Russian, Spanish, and German languages.

ANDREANSKY & ASSOCIATES, INC., Palm Harbor, Florida, Independent Consultant – 35 plus years’ experience in the Design of Storm water Management, Industrial Process Systems. Storm Water Treatment and Management, Industrial Wastewater and Treatment Systems, Industrial Design of Process Systems for Concrete Ready-Mix Plants and Building Materials Manufacturing Facilities, Water Reuse and Disposal Systems, Industrial Ventilation, Waste to Energy Design, Remediation of Petroleum Contaminated Groundwater, and Soil (UST).

CEO of Polo Builders, INC., Val Stelmach was born in Rivne, Ukraine, and moved to the United States in his early teenage years. Val began his journey in construction shortly after joining the engineering program at the University of Illinois in Chicago. In 1998, Val decided to open his own construction firm, catering to both the commercial and residential markets. Val’s work exceeds in quality, as he provides craftsmanship and design that stands the test of time.
Val has been raised all over the world, from Europe to the USA, and has a thorough understanding and knowledge of different backgrounds, leaving him well diverse. Val believes that building relationships is key in life. When you put in the right kind of effort, you will create an extraordinary and everlasting bond. Val’s Ukrainian roots run deep, and he resonates with the people of Ukraine during this time of trial and tribulation. Val attempts to help Ukrainians in any way he can, and understands that his knowledge in the field of construction will play a vital role in rebuilding Ukraine.
Languages: Fluent in Ukrainian, English, and Russian

Alisa Rotova is from Ukraine and attends Parsons School of Design, The New School, studying Strategic Design and Management Program. She is a member of the Tau Sigma National Honors Society and a Global Democracy Ambassador Scholar.
While studying in the United States Alisa is volunteering at RUAI and helping the team get the REUNITE program started.
When at home in Ukraine Alisa works at Gertz Construction Corporation in Kyiv. Where she is working towards becoming an expert in operational design and strategy development, with a particular focus on green development and sustainability practices.