Michael E. Kirst 337 Avenue Louise Brussels, Belgium 1050 +32491893151 Mkirst@euroatlanticpartners.com EXPERIENCE EuroAtlantic Partners, Brussels, Belgium Founder and Managing Director, 2020-Present
The firm utilizes its deep experience in the development of transatlantic cooperation and execution with particular emphasis in the energy field. Specific expertise in nuclear, along with general energy and environmental policy at the EU and Member State level to advance policy and commercial positions. Strong working relationships with US Government, EU Institutions, key US and EU energy companies and associations. Additional experience within relevant trade associations, NGOs, and multilateral forums. Client example deliverables at the public policy level are policy engagement plans, communication strategies, diplomatic outreach, and industry coordination and intelligence. Commercial support provided through strategic planning and detailed action plans to support company and market expansion, identification of potential partners and financial support. Excellent working relationships with US diplomatic missions in Europe and associated US Government inter-agency Washington-based officials along with EU Commission and Parliamentary representatives Westinghouse Electric Company, Brussels, Belgium
Vice President, Strategy and External Affairs, EMEA 2010 – 2019 ● Responsible for the formulation and coordination of Europe, Middle East, and Africa strategy, closely collaborating with country and sub-regional entities on sales planning, origination, and execution of critical growth initiatives to meet evolving business environments ● At highest executive and political levels engaged in 100 million plus market objectives in government procurement, new power plant construction and fuel sales. Responsible for parallel government and communications campaigns. Achieved significant growth in EMEA sales resulting in the company overachieving financial targets ● Lead all EU and national government relations in the EMEA region. Primary interface with EMEA government officials and US Government diplomatic posts. Separately responsible for European Union policies affecting the industry and particularly within company priority markets and strategies. Represented the company within multilateral institutional frameworks (IEA, OECD, IAEA etc.).
Westinghouse Electric Company, Brussels, Belgium Vice President, Central and Eastern Europe 2008 - 2010 ● Responsible for the marketing and sales of all Westinghouse products and services in the Central and Eastern European region. Successfully achieved significant growth in all business segments growing annual sales by 300 percent ● Successfully established market entry, overcoming significant entrenched local/regional interests. Created durable contacts at customer and at key decision-making governmental levels to drive long-term growth and establish Westinghouse as the primary alternative to traditional suppliers. Identified and achieved organic and strategic partnerships with local entities. Initiated in-depth customer account planning and key opportunity identification in the region Westinghouse Electric Company, Vasteras, Sweden Director, Central and Eastern European Fuel Business 2005 – 2008 ● Responsible for the inception and development of Westinghouse’s new growth product and market penetration. Successfully negotiated and secured key initial supply contracts to establish customer commitments and a sustainable growth platform. Responsible for a breakthrough fuel contract with Ukraine, representing the largest energy diversification agreement since Ukraine’s independence. ● Secured additional US Government funding through negotiations between various USG entities to support R&D and transfer of production capacities from US facilities to Europe allowing a regionally competitive base of supply and promoting further regional growth in the market segment ● Began development and advocacy of public policy energy security policies throughout the region, in concert with the EU, to facilitate second supplier entry points in other traditionally monopolized markets such as Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Finland Westinghouse Electric Company, Washington DC, USA Director, International and Government Affairs 1996 – 2005 ● Represented Westinghouse to all Executive Departments and Congress with particular emphasis on expanding US Government support for overseas target markets - Eastern Europe and China. ● Successfully secured significant Congressional support and appropriations leading to the development of R&D for Russian-designed nuclear reactor replacement technologies allowing for the expansion of Westinghouse business in Europe resulting in its second largest market in the region ● Lead Westinghouse efforts in support of key company priorities such as the US-China Nuclear Cooperation Agreement and the 2005 Energy Policy Act, paving the way for new
nuclear construction of Westinghouse reactors in China and the United States worth over 50 billion dollars. Company representative to several diplomatic, NGO and association organizations
NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Brussels, Belgium Director, Economic Committee 1992 – 1996 ● Responsible the NATO alliance’s parliamentary economic policy-making body, steering a new focus on the emerging Eastern European democracies and on transatlantic trade policies ● Drafted macro-economic reform recommendations for the newly-independent Central and Eastern European countries, proposals for a transatlantic trade “early warning system”, and other alliance economic issues. Several recommendations were passed by the NATO Assembly and subsequently adopted in the member countries. ● Represented the alliance at multilateral institutions, lead fact-finding missions to members states and national parliaments Office of Congressman Leon E. Panetta, Washington, DC Legislative Aide, Economic and Budget Issues 1987 – 1992 ● Responsible for advising then-Chairman of the House Budget Committee on key issues affecting national economic policies. Drafted/advised on legislation in areas concerning transportation, housing, energy, budget policy and telecommunications ● Provided floor speeches, position documents, communication strategy and input within areas of responsibility EDUCATION Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas Bachelors of Arts, Political Science 1987 ● Specialization in International Relations and Diplomacy OTHER EXPERIENCE ● Member, Board of Directors 2005- Present, US-Ukraine Business Council, recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award for Advancing Energy Independence of Ukraine (2015)
● President, Nuclear Club of Brussels (NULUC) 2019, representing public affairs offices of all European and international nuclear-related companies to EU institutions * Member, Task Forces on Economics, New Build, Energy Policy 2012-2019, FORATOM, representing European-based nuclear utilities and vendors. Provided analysis and drafting of key position papers relating to EU energy policy.