Zvi Chalamish, CEO, The Israel Export Insurance Corp. Ltd. (ASHRA)
(Hebrew: צבי חלמיש)
Zvi Chalamish was appointed CEO of ASHRA in December 2010. ASHRA (The Israel Export Insurance Corp. Ltd.) is a company fully owned by the Government of Israel to encourage Israeli exports by insuring medium- and long- term export credit transactions as well as investments abroad. ASHRA has extensive working relationships with the international insurance and business communities. It offers its customers insurance coverage against political and commercial risks.
Chalamish had 15 years of experience representing the Ministry of Finance in a wide range of executive positions. Most recently he served as Israel’s Consul and Chief Fiscal Officer for the Western Hemisphere (2005-2010). He was responsible for raising foreign currency for the State of Israel in international markets through bond and loan guarantee offerings. He also oversaw the State of Israel Bonds (Development Corporation of Israel) activities and fundraising initiatives worldwide and was the key liaison to the American investment banking community and financial institutions. In addition, Chalamish was in charge of the budget for the Israel Economic Mission and its seven regional offices in North and South America.
Prior to his diplomatic appointment in the U.S., Chalamish served for five years (2000-2005) as Deputy Accountant General for the Ministry of Finance where he was responsible for overseeing a $25 billion budget allocated to the Ministries of Education, Health, Labor, Social Affairs, Religion, and National Insurance. Chalamish also managed infrastructure projects such as the private finance initiatives (PFI) and the Built Operate Transfer (BOT).
From 1997-2000, while at the Ministry of Finance, he also served first as Comptroller for the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and then as Comptroller for the Lands Authority Management. From 1992-1997, he was the Supervisor and then Manager of the Audit Department for the Ministry of Finance’s Accountant General.
During his tenure with the Ministry of Finance, Chalamish was the Chairman of the $400 million Israel Engineers Fund (2004-2005). He was also a lecturer at the Hebrew University.
Zvi Chalamish holds a B.A. in Economics and Accounting (1990-1993) and an M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting (1993-1995) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 2009, he completed a special program at New York University in International Business and Finance. He is also a C.P.A. During his tour of duty in the Israel Defense Forces, he rose to the rank of Captain and was second-in-command at his military base. Chalamish is married with three children.