My Intriguing Summer in Armenia
Armenia, with a population of 2.5 million at the foothills of biblical Mt. Ararat has recently had many visits by foreign dignitaries within the span of a few weeks. Why has Armenia become such an important country to deserve so much attention? Ali Shamkhani, the director of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council visited Armenia, two days later U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns came to Armenia, which was immediately followed by Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). During this time, Armenia held talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Turkish President Recep Erdogan, Georgian Foreign Minister Illia Darchiashvili, and Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. Is there trouble brewing in the region? Is the focus on the Russian “special military operation” in Ukraine? If you enjoy a little intrigue and speculation, come hear about Mihran’s two months in the south Caucasus.
About our speaker:
Mihran Aroian (Myron O’Ryan on St. Patrick’s Day) is originally from Boston. He took a wrong turn off the Massachusetts Turnpike and somehow ended up in Texas. Most recently Mihran has been on the faculty at the McCombs School of Business and a visiting professor at the Manoogian Simone College of Business & Economics in Yerevan Armenia.
Able to speak two languages and swear in four, Mihran has an eclectic background as a scientist, venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and instructor. Previously, Mihran was the co-founder of TMI Capital, Amicus Networks, and Science Partners. Having worked for Austin Ventures, Mihran has a background in working with entrepreneurial firms in the US and Armenia and is currently consulting with a cardiovascular biotech company in Boston. Since the pandemic, Mihran has vacationed in Italy, Spain, Greece, Georgia and Armenia. Mihran is also the parish council chair of the Armenian Church of Austin and principal violinist with the Allandale String Quartet, where he often plays in the suggested key signature.
Agenda:
6:50am - Coffee & Networking
7:10am - Breakfast Buffet
7:25am - Introductions & Announcements
7:50am - Speaker Introduction
8:20am - Q&A
8:30am - Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Directions and Parking
Breakfast Fees & Policy
