Vladimir Lisin is chairman of NLMK Group, a leading manufacturer of steel products. Lisin started out as an electrical fitter in a coal mine in Siberia and then worked as a steelworker in Central Russia. He then managed factories for Trans-World Group, a collection of commodities traders with stakes in aluminum smelters. Trans-World was later investigated for bank fraud. In 1995, Lisin was reportedly interviewed by Russian police in connection with a local politician's death; he denied wrongdoing. Lisin also owns railway operator First Cargo as well as some ports and shipping companies.