Siberia, before everything
Born and raised in Soviet Russia. Studied economics, then linguistics. Spent summers leading trekking groups through the Altai mountains as a guide and translator.
Summer 2001 — the trip that changed everything
Came to the USA for the first time as a camp counselor in New Jersey. That one summer rewired my whole sense of what was possible.
Building the bridge
After graduation from Linguistic University in Barnaul, I started a regional cultural exchange office to help students like me get to the States. Each summer I'd go too — Sacramento, Alaska, Boston, Chicago.
America, for good
Married Katia. Moved to San Diego in 2012 with our 1-year-old Daniil. Started working in localization — small business instincts plus linguistics, finally in one job.