Born on February 28, 1964, in Dzerzhinsky, Gorky Region.

1986: graduated from Gorky State University with a degree in History and Teaching History.

1986-1989: lecturer at the Social Sciences Department of the Dzerzhinsky subsidiary of the Gorky Polytechnic Institute.

1989-1990: served in the Soviet Army.

1990-1993: People's Deputy of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Culture Sub-Commission of the Council of the Republic of the Russian Federation's Supreme Soviet.

1993: member of the Presidential Legislative Proposals Commission.

1993-1995: Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation's Federal Assembly and Chairman of the Culture Sub-Committee of the State Duma's Education and Culture Committee.

1996-1998: Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation's Federal Assembly and Deputy Chairman of the State Duma's Education and Culture Committee.

1998-1999: Head of the Federal Service for Television and Radio Broadcasting.

July 1999 - March 2004: State Secretary and First Deputy Minister for Press, Television and Radio Broadcasting and Mass Communications.

March 18, 2004: appointed Head of the Federal Agency for Press and Mass Communications.

Married, with two daughters born in 1994 and 2003.