The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has announced the results of its annual Board of Directors election. Bruce Bridges of Bridges Tsavorite has been elected as the new President, set to serve a three-year term.
Joining him are re-elected Directors Matt Hopkins of Hopkins Opal and Eshvar Kotahwala of Vinod Kotahwala, Inc., who will also serve for three years. Additionally, Dudley Blauwet of Dudley Blauwet Gems has been re-elected for a two-year term. The election also introduced 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 officially take office in February 2025.
Several current members will continue to serve on the Board, including Ann Barker, John Bradshaw, Melinda Daniel, Jonathan Gad, Ravi Jajoo, Cynthia Renee, Ron Rahmanan, and Jaimeen Shah. AGTA also took the opportunity to recognise the contributions of outgoing President Kimberly Collins of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems, who will transition to the role of Past President. Eric Yen of Yen’s Jewelry & Accessories, whose term as Director ends in February 2025, was also acknowledged for his service.
The new Board members will be formally introduced during the AGTA Membership Meeting at AGTA GemFair Tucson, scheduled for 3-9 February 2025.