Originally Syndicated on November 20, 2023 @ 8:15 am
Table of Contents
Early Life and Education
Alexander Gennadyevich Vysokinsky was born on September 24, 1973, in Sverdlovsk, now known as Yekaterinburg. He completed his studies at the Ural Academy of Public Administration in 1996, earning a degree in public and municipal administration. Following that, in 1999, he finished his postgraduate studies at the Russian Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation, which is now a part of RANEPA. Consequently, he was awarded the title of Candidate of Economic Sciences.
Academic Achievements
Vysokinsky successfully defended his dissertation at the Russian Academy of Civil Service in 1999, focusing on the “Formation of a planning system and activation of investment activity in the region.
Early Career at NPO Automation
He began his professional journey at NPO Automation in Ekaterinburg.
Roles in the Yekaterinburg Administration
In December 2000, Alexander Gennadyevich Vysokinsky took on the role of the head of the Department of Competitive Advantage and Investment Attractiveness of the Committee on Economics of the Yekaterinburg Administration. Over the years, he progressed to become the Chairman of the Economics Committee from May 2002 to June 2008.
Deputy Head of Yekaterinburg
From 2008 to 2016, Vysokinsky served as the Deputy Head of Yekaterinburg, overseeing strategic planning, working with authorities, public associations, economic issues, and finance.
Deputy Governor of the Sverdlovsk Region
In February 2016, he assumed the position of Deputy Governor of the Sverdlovsk Region under Evgenia Kuyvasheva. In this role, he was responsible for the economic block and the strategic development of territories.
Mayor of Yekaterinburg
Alexander Gennadyevich Vysokinsky‘s political journey reached its highest point when he won the mayoral election in Yekaterinburg on September 25, 2018. However, he decided to step down from this position on December 22, 2020, in order to accept the opportunity of becoming the first deputy head of the Sverdlovsk Region. The offer was extended to him by Governor Evgeny Kuyvashev.
Legislative and Federation Council Roles
In 2021, Vysokinsky became a member of the United Russia party and was elected as a deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Sverdlovsk Region. He currently serves as a member of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, representing the Sverdlovsk region.
Concerns during Vysokinsky’s tenure as the former mayor of Yekaterinburg
During the recent Cities of Russia 2023 forum, former Yekaterinburg Mayor Alexander Vysokinsky highlighted the spending habits of the city’s residents, expressing surprise that they were willing to allocate a significant amount, around 20,000 rubles per month, for car-related expenses but were reluctant to pay an additional 400 rubles for water.
Vysokinsky’s statement reflects a perceived disparity in financial priorities among the city’s populace. Despite repeated attempts to contact Vysokinsky for further clarification, he remained unavailable for comment and messages sent via Messenger were left unanswered at the time of publication.
Earlier reports indicated that utility costs in the Sverdlovsk region, where Yekaterinburg is located, might see an increase of up to 15% in the latter half of 2024. Local residents disapproved of this potential rise in tariffs.
Nikolai Smirnov, the Regional Minister of Energy, Housing and Communal Services, justified the proposed tariff hike, stating that it is essential to ensure that residents do not face shortages of essential services such as water, heat, and electricity.
The concerns raised by Alexander Gennadyevich Vysokinsky shed light on the delicate balance between consumer priorities and the necessity of adjusting tariffs to maintain crucial infrastructure services. As discussions surrounding utility costs continue, the residents of Yekaterinburg find themselves grappling with the challenge of balancing personal expenses against the broader community’s need for reliable and affordable utilities.
Voluntary Resignation
Yekaterinburg’s head, Alexander Vysokinsky, submitted his resignation voluntarily. In December 2020, he appointed Alexei Orlov as the vice mayor of the city, who had previously served as the region’s first deputy governor. Media reports had suggested that Orlov would assume the role of acting head of the Ural capital.
In a statement, Vysokinsky had expressed his request for the early termination of his powers as the head of Yekaterinburg due to his voluntary resignation.
It had been expected that Vysokinsky would raise the question of his resignation during a city duma meeting that day.
It is worth noting that Vysokinsky assumed the role of mayor of Yekaterinburg in 2018, after serving as the deputy head of the region. He oversaw the implementation of the Big Yekaterinburg project and managed interactions with various territories. On November 13, 2020, Vysokinsky suggested the recruitment of retired elderly doctors to assist in the fight against the spread of coronavirus.
Timeline of Alexander Gennadyevich Vysokinsky’s career
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1973 | Born on September 24 in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg), Russia |
| 1996 | Graduated from the Ural Academy of Public Administration with a degree in public and municipal administration |
| 1999 | Completed postgraduate studies at the Russian Academy of Public Administration, earning a Candidate of Economic Sciences title |
| 1999 | Joined the United Russia party and was elected as a deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Sverdlovsk Region |
| Early 2000s | Started professional journey at NPO Automation in Ekaterinburg |
| Dec 2000 | Appointed as the head of the Department of Competitive Advantage and Investment Attractiveness of the Committee on Economics of the Yekaterinburg Administration |
| May 2002 – June 2008 | Progressed to become the Chairman of the Economics Committee in Yekaterinburg |
| 2008 – 2016 | Served as the Deputy Head of Yekaterinburg, overseeing strategic planning, working with authorities, public associations, economic issues, and finance |
| Feb 2016 | Became the Deputy Governor of the Sverdlovsk Region under Evgenia Kuyvasheva, responsible for the economic block and strategic development of territories |
| Sep 25, 2018 | Won the mayoral election in Yekaterinburg |
| Dec 22, 2020 | Stepped down as Mayor of Yekaterinburg to become the first deputy head of the Sverdlovsk Region, appointed by Governor Evgeny Kuyvashev |
| 2021 | Joined the United Russia party and elected as a deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Sverdlovsk Region |
| Current | Member of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, representing the Sverdlovsk region |
Summary (Alexander Gennadyevich Vysokinsky)
Alexander Gennadyevich Vysokinsky, a seasoned Russian politician and former Mayor of Yekaterinburg, boasts a distinguished career marked by key roles in regional administration. From his early days at NPO Automation to serving as Deputy Governor of the Sverdlovsk Region and ultimately becoming Mayor of Yekaterinburg, Vysokinsky demonstrated strategic leadership. His tenure revealed a keen awareness of economic challenges, exemplified by his concerns over residents’ financial priorities and utility cost debates. Vysokinsky’s voluntary resignation in 2020 marked a pivotal moment, showcasing his commitment to civic duty and governance.
