Born on August 11, 1955, in Lipetsk. 

Graduated from the Higher Military Political Border Control School of the Soviet State Security Committee (KGB), the Lenin Military-Political Academy and the Civil Service Institute's North-Western Personnel Training Centre.

Has a PhD in Sociology and the Order of Merit state award.

1973-1991: served with the Soviet KGB Border Force.

1991-1993: business administrator and assistant head of the Administration of the Leningrad Region's Vyborg District.

1993-1994: First Deputy Head of the Administration of the Vyborg District, Leningrad Region.

1994-2000: Head of the Administration of the Vyborg District, Leningrad Region.

2000-2007: First Deputy Governor of the Leningrad Region.

2007-2008: Advisor to the Council Chairman of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.

January 21, 2007: appointed Head of the Federal Service for the Oversight of Natural Resources.