*02/05/16 Michael Greer, Portland Ballet

Michael Romy Greer is the current Executive Director at Portland Ballet and previously General Manager at Sino-European Recycling Resources in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.

A native of St. Charles, Missouri, Michael spent the early part of his life at some of the world's most prestigious dance institutions. Graduating from Interlochen Arts Academy as a dance major. Michael also studied at the Joffrey Ballet School, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet school, and The Royal Ballet School in London, England. Upon completing his training, Michael continued on to dance professionally with Ballet West in Salt Lake City, Utah, for six seasons under the direction of Jonas Kage. During this time with the company, he danced many soloist roles.

After retiring from performing, Michael went on to complete a degree in economics with a focus in industrial organization as an Arturo Schomburg Scholar at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. He also received an opportunity to continue his economics studies at Stanford University, but chose to gain experience in international business in India as a Gilman Scholar (US State Department). Michael continued to work with companies in both India and China over a nine-year span, managing teams and operations at several multinational corporations. 

Michael will give a brief overview of his time spent in mainland China and some of his personal perspectives on doing business and investing in the region. In particular, the relationship between cultural expectations, regulations, real estate, and the stock market. While Michael is not by any means a China scholar, his eight years living and working in the region allow a unique perspective on the country.