The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has released the results of its annual Board of Directors election. Bruce Bridges of Bridges Tsavorite has been elected as the next President, with a three-year tenure.
He is joined by re-elected Directors Matt Hopkins of Hopkins Opal and Eshvar Kotahwala of Vinod Kotahwala, Inc., both of whom will serve three years. Additionally, Dudley Blauwet of Dudley Blauwet Gems has been re-elected to a two-year term. The election also added two new Directors to the Board: Joseph Ambalu of Amba Gem Corporation and Tracy Lindwall of Nomad’s Lapidary Co., Inc. dba Nomads, both of whom will serve three-year terms. The newly elected members will assume office in February 2025.
Ann Barker, John Bradshaw, Melinda Daniel, Jonathan Gad, Ravi Jajoo, Cynthia Renee, Ron Rahmanan, and Jaimeen Shah will continue to serve on the Board. AGTA also used the opportunity to recognize the efforts of outgoing President Kimberly Collins of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems, who will assume the post of Past President. Eric Yen of Yen’s Jewelry & Accessories, whose tenure as Director concludes in February 2025, was also recognized for his contributions.
The new Board members will be formally introduced during the AGTA Membership Meeting at AGTA GemFair Tucson, which is set for February 3-9, 2025.