He had also served as a member of the Federation Council, and representative of the legislative authority of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic.

From 1988 to 1995, he worked as the director of the state enterprise "Department for the operation of the Great Stavropol Canal".

[2] On 23 June 1995, Ivanov was elected chairman of the People's Assembly of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic.

[3] On 23 January 1996, Ivanov was sworn in to represent Karachay-Cherkessia in the Federation Council.

[5] He was officially replaced on 24 July, by Valentin Vlasov, as the acting head.