Ralph yirikian biography

Ralph Yirikian (Armenian: Ռալֆ Յիրիկյան; born November 16, 1967) is an Armenian businessman who is the current General Director of Ucom, and was formerly the.
Ralph Yirikian is an Armenian businessman who is the current General Director of Ucom, and was formerly the General Director of VivaCell-MTS, a 2005 startup company which became Armenia's leading telecommunications operator and one of the top.
Beirut-born and raised Ralph Yirikian ran Viva-MTS, a leading telecommunications operator in Armenia, for 17 years (2005-2022).

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Ralph Yirikian

Armenian businessman

Ralph Yirikian (Armenian: Ռալֆ Յիրիկյան; born November 16, 1967) is an Armenian businessman who is the current General Director of Ucom,^[1] and was formerly the General Director of VivaCell-MTS (MTS Armenia CJSC), a 2005 startup company which became Armenia's leading telecommunications operator and one of the top taxpayers.^[2] As reported, he left the company in 2022 to concentrate on his own business.^[3] The factual reasons behind this move have not been reported.

Early life and education

Ralph Yirikian was born on November 16, 1967, in Beirut, Lebanon. With his younger twin brothers and sister, he grew up in Beirut. After civil war broke out in 1975, his childhood was marked by deprivation and scenes of violence.^[4]

Yirikian graduated from the American University of Beirut with a bachelor's degree in economics in 1991.^[5] In 1992, he received a second bachelor's degree from the university, this time in business administration.^{[citation needed]}

Business career

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Ralph Yirikian serves as the Chief Executive Officer of “Ucom” CJSC, a member of Galaxy Group of Companies.

Born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, Mr. Yirikian pursued his education at the prestigious American University of Beirut, earning two Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Business Administration. Mr. Yirikian has an extensive background in the telecommunications industry dating back to 1999.

In 2002, he was appointed as the General Director of “Karabakh Telecom” CJSC in Artsakh, and from 2004 to 2022, he successfully led “Viva-MTS” (“MTS Armenia” CJSC), contributing significantly to the growth and development of the telecommunications sector in Armenia. Mr. Yirikian’s expertise has also been sought after as a guest lecturer at academic, IT and business forums, as well as international conferences.

Mr. Yirikian’s remarkable contributions have been recognized through numerous awards and honors. He is an honorary citizen of Yerevan and various cities in Armenia. He has been bestowed with prestigious accolades, including the

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Corporate Commitment

Ralph Yirikian has been the most effective and influential corporate leader in independent Armenia.

Unfortunately for Armenia, there has not been much competition for such honors.

Yirikian—through his leadership of VivaCell-MTS communications company—has practically single-handedly introduced, defined and demonstrated the behavior of a contemporary global professional, bringing a refreshing and clarifying presence onto the scene of Armenia's closed, oligarch-dominated business world.

As General Manager of the Lebanon-based company (which includes K-Telecom, providing mobile communications for Karabakh), Yirikian has become as recognizable as any politician or celebrity in Armenia. His frequent appearances at public events make him a target for desperate appeals from the needy, for whom his face has become the symbol of compassion.

VivaCell was among the first (if not the very first) company to introduce Corporate Social Responsibility in Armenia. It has been five years since the first VivaCell phone call was placed in Armenia, and within its first thre