The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Board of Governors held their first in-person meeting in two years, Nov. 5 – 8, in Carlsbad, California, and reviewed the Institute’s strategic plans and priorities to ensure GIA will continue to advance its consumer protection mission, according to a press release from the Institute.
The board also welcomed two new Governors – Dave Bindra, vice president of operations and head of acquisitions at B&B Fine Gems, and Marcus ter Haar, an experienced diamond industry executive. Lisa Locklear, senior vice president and chief financial officer at Avanir Pharmaceuticals, was named Chair-Elect, succeeding Dione D. Kenyon, previous president and CEO of The Jewelers Board of Trade.
Dave Bindra is vice president of operations and head of acquisitions at B&B Fine Gems. He is a colored gemstone specialist with experience in sourcing, cutting and recutting fine and rare colored gemstones. Bindra is a graduate of the University of Southern California, and received his GIA Graduate Gemologist diploma in 2007.
Marcus ter Haar is an experienced diamond industry executive, well-versed in sectors across the value chain. Previously the managing director of the Okavango Diamond Company, he has extensive knowledge of governance. He serves on a selection of private sector and not for profit boards, including the international luxury-tourism company Wilderness Holdings, Diamonds Do Good and the Lady Khama Charitable Trust.
The board also bid farewell to Governor Amit Dhamani, CEO and managing director of Dhamani Jewels Group, who completed his nine-year term.
Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished
Exclusive
Ellah Muchemwa: ADPA to launch Africa's first diamond mining standard next year
The African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA), which is based in Luanda, Angola, and represents the interests of mainly African diamond producers and those with the potential to produce diamonds, will next year launch the Sustainable Development...
Yesterday
Dmitry Fedorov: I want our jewelry to be displayed at a museum in the future
Dmitry Fedorov is the founder of the eponymous jewelry house. His main focus is the creation of Orthodox-inspired premium luxury jewelry of high artistic merit. He told Rough&Polished about his journey in the jewelry industry, about choosing the ‘Orthodox...
28 october 2024
Responsible business practices ‘no longer optional’, says WDC President Feriel Zerouki
The president of the World Diamond Council takes time out of her busy schedule to tell Rough&Polished readers about the critical work of the WDC. Zerouki, the first female present of the body, which includes all the important industry organizations among...
14 october 2024
James Campbell: Botswana Diamonds optimistic as it enters uncharted territory of using AI for mineral exploration
London-listed Botswana Diamonds has expressed optimism about the company’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) to scan the exploration database in Botswana to look for new mineralised deposits. Company managing director James Campbell told Rough...
07 october 2024
Artur Salyakayev: For me, happiness is freedom to make my ideas happen and create valuable products
Artur Salyakayev is an art entrepreneur, founder of the International Jewelry Academy (IJA) and the INCRUA jewelry company. He has initiated and developed successful projects in jewelry industry and services sector. He is also a leading expert...
30 september 2024
