“Richard Bezjian’s leadership and outstanding credentials will be key to our next phase of advancement.” said Garo Armen, Founder and Chairman of COAF U.S. “I look forward to working with Richard closely to take COAF and our innovative COAF SMART initiatives to new heights for the benefit of the young generation and broader rural villages,” he continued, “strengthening the communities of rural Armenia catalyzes the growth of Armenia’s economy and ensures a peaceful and prosperous future for our country.” 

Mr. Bezjian is a Yerevan-based software developer and businessman, who has been at the forefront of modernizations in graphic design, integrated software solutions, ecommerce and now secure banking solutions. His leadership in diverse sectors and disciplines make Mr. Bezjian an ideal appointee to the COAF board, continuing the momentum of a remarkable year for the organization.

 

Mr. Bezjian received degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Design from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. His career spans three decades of innovation, beginning with his first company Graphics Software, Inc., to the establishment of Boomerang’s R&D center in Armenia in 1990. Recognizing a potential for growth in 2007, Bezjian moved his wife, Roubina, and three children to Armenia and founded EGS. This new endeavor set the standard for technological innovations in a newly developing entrepreneurial space, in an emerging region. As of 2018, EGS has grown to a company of 300+ engineering consultants, making it one of the largest and longest-thriving tech companies of the region. EGS provides services in Financial Technologies, eCommerce, Payments, Mobile Banking and many other domains. Its clients include Tier-1 banks, and publicly traded large companies in Europe, Asia, and the USA. 

“The innovative approach, the enormous efforts and funding that COAF and COAF SMART has placed in the development of communities in Armenia is immense,” noted Mr. Bezjian following his appointment. “This is a trendsetting movement, that many countries will one day adopt. I am honored to be the chairman of the board. For me, it is an opportunity to do good, for young kids, families, the country and the world.”

COAF is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The organization has been consistently awarded the highest levels of accreditation from non-profit accountability groups, including the highest 4-Start Rating from Charity Navigator

Since 2003, COAF has led innovative and holistic practices in Armenia, creating lasting programs that address systemic gaps in rural villages. These community-led, comprehensive approaches in reducing poverty have impacted the lives of 75,000 people. Strategic programs in education, healthcare, child and family services, community engagement and economic development address gaps felt acutely in villages throughout the country. COAF believes that the new generation of Armenia, together with their families, have the potential and opportunity to revitalize the fabric of community life. 

COAF SMART is the organization’s newest initiative designed to jumpstart the advancement of rural communities by connecting them to the world. The COAF SMART Center catalyzes on the new Armenian government’s push for broad technological and educational advancements, via most modern approaches. Our first COAF SMART Center, which began operations in June 2018, expands our engagement to over 150,000 villagers in communities throughout the Lori Province. The COAF SMART average class size is 16:1, enabling project-based and action-based learning that is child-centric, inclusive, and rigorous. It is designed to be replicated and implemented throughout Armenia’s provinces; and the building of a network of COAF SMART Centers is central to our strategic planning.

 

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