Richard Torrence BIOGRAPHY   Richard Torrence, after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1958, moved to San Francisco, where he worked in the stock brokerage firm of Francis I. duPont & Co. He moved to New York in 1962 as a personal representative for the great American organist, Virgil Fox. He set up his own concert management in 1963, which represented Virgil Fox and many other leading artists. His marketing and public relations abilities were recognized by two leading organ builders: the Rodgers Organ Company of Hillsboro, Oregon, an electronic organ builder; and Fratelli Ruffatti of Padua, Italy, a pipe organ builder. He worked with both of them, handling marketing, public relations, advertising, product development, and sales until 1976, as he expanded the concert management. In 1976, the management grew into a production company, producing in leading concert halls of New York City, off-Broadway theaters, and such unusual venues as the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations. By 1983, the new field of producing special events had attracted his attention, and he became one of the leaders in the development of high-visibility fund raising events. Clients included the Rockefeller University, Chase Manhattan Bank, Cadillac Motor Car, UNICEF, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Northwood Institute, Carnegie Hall, New York City Opera, CBS Musical Instruments, The Actors' Fund of America, and the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR). Celebrities he worked with included Elizabeth Taylor, Leonard Bernstein, Mstislav Rostropovich, Eartha Kitt, Van Cliburn, Madonna, William F. Buckley Jr., Ted Turner, Jane Fonda, and Michael York. During a trip to St. Petersburg, Russia in May, 1992, Richard Torrence became acquainted with Anatoly A. Sobchak, Mayor of St. Petersburg -- Russia's second largest city. He hosted Mr. Sobchak's visit to New York in June for a G7Council meeting, and returned for a second visit to Russia in late June. As a result of discussions about the future of St. Petersburg, Richard Torrence became Advisor to the Mayor of St. Petersburg on International Projects, 1992-96. His responsibilities included facilitating cultural projects and investment opportunities in the Petersburg Region. During his tenure he helped raise $1.3-million for city dental programs, and attracted the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. to St. Petersburg to build a $70-million factory. Vladimir V. Putin, who was appointed Acting Prime Minister of Russia following the August 9, 1999 dismissal of Sergei Stepashin--and President Yeltsin's first announced choice for the next President of Russia--was Richard Torrence's immediate superior for the four years he was an advisor to Mayor Sobchak of St. Petersburg. The day after Mr. Putin was appointed Acting Prime Minister of Russia, The New York Times's profile of Mr. Putin included three paragraphs quoting Richard Torrence. (Click here to read the complete story.) Clients in St. Petersburg have included Wrigley, Arthur Anderson, Littlewoods, ED&F Man Sugar, Americom, Merck & Co., and ICN Pharmaceuticals. In 1993 and 1995 he produced the St. Petersburg Festival of American Films, and was Chairman from 1994 to 1996 of the Grand Hotel Europe Summer Ball. In 1996-97, he was Director of Marketing at the Astoria Club, and in 1998 he designed and marketed Le Club, a business and professional complex with two restaurants and special events facilities. In past years, Richard Torrence has been listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Finance and Industry, and Who's Who in the Performing Arts.