Section Editor – Vilnius

ŽILVINAS BELIAUSKAS

Psychologist, cultureologist and freelance translator, Zilvinas is currently back in academic life as a lecturer of psychology at Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius after twelve years of work as the director of the Information Center for Homecoming Lithuanians. It was a great opportunity him to get to know not only the World Lithuanian Community but also the attitude of state institutions towards the diaspora. Earlier work experiences of research fellow at the Lithuanian Institute of Culture and Arts, psychologist at the Lithuanian National Martynas Mažvydas Library and lecturer at Vilnius University were of great help when dealing with emigration and repatriation issues, maintaining ties with communities and organizations and communicating with a wide range of individuals with the most diverse requirements and interests. His social activities consist of pleasant things such as to coordinate the establishment process of the Vilnius Jewish Library and to work as the executive director of Vilnius International Club. VilNews is about to fill in the missing part in the trinity.
Email zilvinas.beliauskas@VilNews.com
Web page  www.VilNews.com

Berkshire – United Kingdom

ANDRIUS UŽKALNIS

Photo:  Liudas Masys

Andrius Užkalnis, aged 40 is a bestselling Lithuanian author and a journalist, known for his scathing social commentary and bittersweet travel writing and for his work for the Lithuanian national radio. Born in Kaunas, he has lived in Caversham, Berkshire, in the south of England, for the past 16 years. He hopes to return to Lithuania this summer for good, where he thinks the grass is greener, especially at the moment.

Email: Uzkalnis@gmail.com

Washington D.C. – USA

STAN BACKAITIS                                                                                    

Dr. Stan Backaitis. Degrees in engineering BSME in 1953, MSAE in 1955, and Ph.D  in Biomechanics in 1978.  Graduate of the U.S. Federal Management Institute.  Served from 1953 to 1968 in various engineering positions at the Chrysler Corporation.  From 1968 till 2007 at the U.S Dept of Transportation as Principal Engineer at the Office of Motor Vehicle Crashworthiness Standards.  Author of over 80 technical papers, editor of five books on Human Biomechanics and two books on Accident Reconstruction Technologies

Registered professional engineer in the state of Michigan and Certified Product Safety manager.  U.S. delegate to ISO U.S Advisory Group to technical committees TC22/SC 10 and 12, and their technical working groups.  Chair of the Organizing Committee of the XII and XIV Lithuanian Symposium on Science and Creativity held in Chicago in 2002 and 2008. Currently in cooperative activities on technical matters with the Northwest University in Evanston, Il. and the Kaunas University of Technology (KTU).

Recipient of Secretary of Transportation and NHTSA Administration awards for superior achievement.  Honorary Doctorate from the KTU.  Recipient of two presidential medals for services promoting scientific progress in Lithuania.  During 1992-2003 chair of the U.S. Advisory Board for the Faculty of Administration of the KTU.  Member of the editorial board of a major science and technical journal published in Lithuania.  U.S. member of the science prize committee for oversees Lithuanians at the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Lithuania. 

Currently serving as vice president for academic affairs of the American-Lithuanian Community’s National Executive Council; member of the education committee of the World Lithuanian Community; council member of Lithuanian Research and Study Center in Chicago, member of US-Canada Baltic Studies Coalition, representative of the American Lithuanian Council at the Central and Eastern European Coalition in Washington, D.C., and group studies participant at the Brookings institution, the CATO institute, the School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of the John Hopkins university, and the Center for Baltic and Eastern European Studies at the Sodertorn un. In Stockholm, Sweden. 

Arranged and hosted visits of the heads of Lithuania’s eight scientific institutes to the U.S. National Institutes Science and Technology, and the Southwest Research Institute on energy related issues.  Conducts studies related to availability, transportation and use of energy sources for power generation.  One energy study was presented at the Lithuania’s ministry of Energy in 2009 covering Lithuania’s power needs and alternatives in the future. In 2010 arranged an informational visit for Lithuania’s ambassador to the U.S, at the LNG port facility in Cove Point Maryland, which resulted in published articles both in U.S. and Lithuania’s Science Journals.  Similarly, on studies and discussions with U.S small nuclear reactor developers, resulted in the publication of a series of articles in both American Lithuanian news media and in Lithuania’s technical journals on the prospect and merits of small nuclear reactors.  Benefits of centralized LNG import were highlighted in memorandums to all of the Baltic countries’ governments and their embassy’s in the U.S.

Dedicated to 1) the preservation of Lithuanian language and heritage in the overseas diaspora, 2) by working through CEEC to influence the U.S. government and Congress to support and promote the evolution of democratic institutions and preservation of human rights, independence, and security in Central and Eastern European countries, and 3) facilitate connectivity and flow of knowledge in science and technologies between U.S and the Baltic countries in general and Lithuania in particular.

Email: BStasys@aol.com

California – USA

ALGIS RATNIKAS

“I was born in a refugee camp in Munich, Germany, in 1947, to Lithuanian parents. Our family emigrated to the USA in 1950 and I grew up in the Detroit area of Michigan. From 1965-1969 I attended the Univ. of Michigan and graduated with a BS in Zoology. I was then drafted into the US Army and spent a year in Colorado and a year in Germany. After military service I attended Wayne State Univ. in Detroit and completed a master’s program in Humanities. Following a few months of travel I settled in San Francisco, Ca. and began a career as a field service engineer for Becton Dickinson Corp. In 1995 I began a project dedicated to world history and in 1998 posted it to the World Wide Web. In 2005 I retired from BD in order to devote full time to my history project. I have been active in Lithuanian social activities throughout my life. Since 2004 I have served as the San Francisco Bay Area Lithuanian-American community treasurer. Over the years our community has hosted visits by former Pres. Adamkus, former PM Kirkilas, current PM Kubilius as well as numerous artists and musical performers. A more complete biography is posted on my web site: http://www.timelines.ws.” Email: aalgis@aol.com

Ohio – USA

INGRIDA BUBLYS

Ingrida Bublys, President of IB International Inc., shares 20 years in business development and company representation between the Baltic States and the US and lately has expanded business development to other surrounding countries. IB International represents a number of US companies in various industry sectors, while also representing and opening doors for a diverse range of Lithuanian companies In the US.

In May of 1992 organized the first Lithuanian products exposition in the USA at the “Business& Industry 2000” trade show at the IX Center, Cleveland, Ohio.  Organizer of first IT Video conference between USA and Lithuanian IT companies in 2003.

Secured and established contacts for trade development for various Lithuanian, as well as US companies; has developed a strong network across diverse commercial and government interests.

Ingrida Bublys is an active member of various business organizations in the US and serves on various boards. She has been awarded “The Order of Grand Duke Vytautas the Great” by the Lithuanian government, the American Nationalities Movement’s “Eagle Award”, and the International Rotary Club of Cleveland’s “Paul Harris Fellow”.

Ingrida Bublys is the Honorary General Consul of the Republic of Lithuania for the states of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.

Email: ingrida.bublys@ibinternationalinc.com 

Arizona – USA

RIMGAUDAS P. VIDZIUNAS

Roots are Pramedziava, Lithuania. Came to the USA in 1949. Visited Lithuania 1999, 2002.

BA History, University of Miami, Florida January 1970. Photographer for over 35 years. Follow him on Facebook "Photography by Rimgaudas". Currently residing Mesa, Arizona USA.
Email: rvidziunas@yahoo.com 

Tennessee - USA

RUTA SEPETYS

Ruta Sepetys is the daughter of a Lithuanian refugee and currently lives in Tennessee. She is the author of Between Shades of Gray, the critically acclaimed novel about a Lithuanian family deported to Siberia in 1941. The book will soon be published in over twenty countries around the world, including Lithuania. For more information please visit: www.betweenshadesofgray.com

"A harrowing page-turner." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A horrifying account of the forcible relocation of countless Lithuanians... Sepetys' beautifully written and deeply felt novel deserves the widest possible readership." 
- Booklist (starred review)
"This bitterly sad, fluidly written historical novel tackles a topic woefully underdiscussed in English-language fiction." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Email: ruta@sepetys.com

Colorado - USA

MARINA FARRELL

Marina grew up with stories about the Old World from her grandparents, both of whom emigrated from Lithuania to the U.S. shortly before World War I. Having visited several times since 1999, she has come to love Lithuania and all things Lithuanian. In addition to being web content developer and localization lead at a major eLearning corporation, she is web manager and contributor for the popular travel web zine, JustSayGo.com. Marina's personal projects include iLOVElithuania.com, an online community for Lithuanians, Lithuanian-Americans and all who love Lithuania. Her various travel writing and web development projects are listed at http://flavors.me/marinafarrelltravels.

Email: marinafarr@gmail.com

Ontario – Canada

VIC PAKALNIS

P.Eng., MBA, M.Eng., Kinross Professor in Mining and Sustainability, The Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining, Queen’s University, Kingston ,Ontario , Canada.
Vic Pakalnis earned a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Mining Engineering and a Master of Engineering Degree from McGill University in 1972 and 1976 respectively. In 1994, he obtained a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University.

Prior to joining the Government of Ontario in 1978, he worked at Kerr Addison Mines, Inco Ltd , Iron Ore Company of Canada and Falconbridge Nickel Mines Ltd.,  At the later company , he served as their Senior Ground Control Engineer .

At the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Vic worked as the Provincial Director of Mining and   Industrial Health and Safety and as Regional Director, Eastern Ontario, with corporate and program responsibilities for Health and Safety and Employment Standards. He was lead Operations Director for Human Resources and responsible for recruiting and training over 200 new inspectors. In 2007-8 he was appointed   the Ontario Public Service Amethyst Fellow in Public Policy, School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University teaching courses in the MPA, MIR and Mining Engineering: policy implementation, project management, occupational health and safety. He has over 32 years of experience in public administration.

He is the author of a number of papers on subjects such as: mine safety, public policy, training and organizational design.  He chaired the tri-partite Provincial inquiry into Health and Safety in the Pulp and Paper Industry.  In 1995, he co-led the Early Wins Team within the Internal Administration Restructuring Project.  This project was charged with reducing the cost of administration within the Ontario Public Service by $300M.  He was one of the founding members and Chair of the Eastern Ontario Regional Directors’ Council and the Provincial Interministerial Council. In 2010, he was  elected President of the  88,000 member  Ontario Public Service Quarter Century Club – public servants active and retired with 25yrs or more of service . He has appeared on radio and television :  CNN, BNN, CBC  and  CTV  as a commentator on health and safety issues . 

Vic is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario , the Society of Mining Engineers , the Canadian Institute for Mining and Metallurgy  and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada. He serves on the Boards of the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada and Minerva Canada which promotes the introduction of occupational health and safety in schools of business and engineering. He is also the immediate past Chair of the Canadian Public Sector Quality Association.  In 2007 he received the prestigious Amethyst Award for excellence in public service. 

In 2009 Vic was appointed Kinross Professor in Mining and Sustainability at the Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario. He teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in the faculty of engineering and applied science.  His research interest are in occupational health and safety, public policy, and  First Nations access to mining engineering .

Email: vic.pakalnis@mine.queensu.ca

Paihia - New Zealand

VIRGINIA SHIMKUTE

Was born in Siauliai, Northern Lithuania, in 1959 to a family of a teacher (mother) and a drama theatre actor (father). Siblings – one brother, professional musician (cello being main instrument).  Finished school in 1977 and left for Vilnius to study – Mathematics. Returned to Siauliai and was working until got married and eventually moved with family to Vilnius.  Had two daughters-one living in South Africa now, (20), studying pharmacy, and other (27) settled in the US. Brother with family also lives permanently in USA.

Virginia moved to South Africa in 1993, when apartheid there was falling apart, having its first democratic election in 1994. Lived in South Africa for 16 years, 7 in Johannesburg and 9 years in Port Elizabeth, working for big corporate companies - administration and IT.  In Feb 2009 came to New Zealand and currently living in Paihia, Bay of Islands-popular tourist destination. Changed carrier to something very different – owns and runs a sandwich and salad bar in town. Met Lithuanians there only on 2 occasions (a pleasant surprise). Trying to settle down and make NZ home but missing Lithuania , family on friends. Therefore interested in this VilNews link (“no matter where one lives and for how long –roots are in our beloved home country –Lithuania”).

Email: vshimkute@yahoo.com

Adelaide – Australia

BARBARA RAPAPORT

Johannesburg – South Africa

JADVYGA KAZLAUSKIENE

Jadvyga Kazlauskiene emigrated from Lithuania to South Africa in 1995. The first five years she worked in the restaurant business. Since year 2000 she has worked as a real estate agent, 11 years at Wendy Machanik Properties and since the start of 2011 at Huizemark Properties in Johannesburg. She has since 2007 been Director of the Lithuanian Community residing in South Africa (‘Lietuviu Bendruomone Gyvenanti Pietu Afrikos Respublikoje’).

Jadvyga studied at Academy of Drama in Vilnius ’82 – ’85, and graduated from the Academy of Drama ’85 as ‘Play Producer’. In South Africa she has been studying property, residential business.

Graduated NQF4 in Real Estate. Email: Jadvyga@huizemark.com