Nancy Bolt was Colorado State Librarian for 18 years. She left the State Library in 2004 to focus more of her efforts on Balkan Connections. She is the American Project Director for the U.S. Department of State ABLE grant, providing American partner libraries and staff development to 18 Bulgarian libraries. She has been to Bulgaria 19 times and led 14 tours to Bulgaria including tours for librarians, for those interested in ancient archeology, and government officials. She is active in the International Federation of Library Associations and the American Library Association’s International Relations Round Table. Nancy has a clear understanding and commitment to building cultural understanding and peaceful relations between America and other countries.

Iskra Mahailova is currently Executive Director of the Tolerance Association, an association of city officials in towns with significant minority populations in Bulgaria. While head of staff development at the National Library of Bulgaria, Iskra spent four months at the Colorado State Library. She has served as head of Information Services at the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture and Senior Expert in the United Europe Education Program of the European Union. Iskra background provides multiple contacts with key people in Bulgaria to make visits to Bulgaria more pleasurable for travelers.

Alex Palichev holds a Doctor of Science degree in Management of Cultural Institutions. From 1971 to 1997 he worked at the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture in the field of preservation of historical and cultural monuments, culminating as Deputy Minister of Culture during 1996-97. In 1997, he became Executive Director of a private company. It is because of Alex that we receive special tours of historical and cultural monuments not usually open to the general public.

Bob Hofmann is a retired businessman. He spent 30 years working for General Electric in engineering, marketing, and sales. Bob sings in a men’s quartet and two choirs and specializes in artistic tours of Bulgaria.