DALLAS. Sept. 10, 2024 – The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has announced the results of its annual AGTA Board of Directors’ election. Executive Committee (EC) members for the 2025 Board of Directors are as follows:
- Bruce Bridges, Bridges Tsavorite, President, for a three-year term
- Matt Hopkins, Hopkins Opal, re-elected to serve a three-year term
- Eshvar Kotahwala, Vinod Kotahwala, Inc., re-elected to serve a three-year term
- Dudley Blauwet, Dudley Blauwet Gems, re-elected to serve a two-year term
Two newly elected Directors will serve for three-year terms and include Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corporation, and Tracy Lindwall, Nomad’s Lapidary Co., Inc., dba Nomads. The Directors-elect will take office in February 2025.
The following members will continue with their positions on the Board:
Rohan Agrawal, Shanu G.
Ann Barker, Barker & Company
John Bradshaw, John J. Bradshaw
Melinda Daniel, Tim Roark, Inc.
Jonathan Gad, GAD Enterprises
Ravi Jajoo, United Color Gems, Inc.
Cynthia Renee, Cynthia Renee, Inc.
Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem Corporation
Jaimeen Shah, Prima Gems USA, LLC
Bruce Bridges of Bridges Tsavorite becomes the President of the AGTA Board of Directors in 2025.
AGTA would like to recognize Kimberly Collins, Kimberly Collins Colored Gems, for her dedication and leadership as AGTA President. She will continue to serve until AGTA GemFair Tucson 2025, at which point she will step into the role of Past President. AGTA would also like to recognize Eric Yen, Yen’s Jewelry & Accessories, for his commitment to the AGTA Board of Directors. His term as Director will also end in February 2025.
“Congratulations to our newly elected Board members!” says Collins. “First, I would like to welcome incoming President Bruce Bridges of Bridges Tsavorite, whose passion for ethics in our industry is unsurpassed. I’m thrilled to see Matthew Hopkins of Hopkins Opal, Dudley Blauwet of Dudley Blauwet Gems and Eshvar Kotahwala of Vinod Kotahwala, Inc., returning for second terms on the Board of Directors. I’m also pleased to see Tracy Lindwall of Nomad’s Lapidary Co., Inc., dba Nomads, and founding member Joseph Ambalu of Amba Gem Corporation as first-time Board members. These newly elected officials will begin their terms after the 2025 GemFair Tucson. I wish you all tremendous success in your roles!”
Past President Ruben Bindra chaired the Nominating Committee. Other members included John Bachman, Afshin Hackman, David Nassi, and Shekhar Shah. The AGTA Board of Directors holds elections on a rotating cycle to guarantee the coherence of the Board’s long-term plans. The new Board members will be introduced at the AGTA Membership Meeting, which is open to all and will be held during AGTA GemFair Tucson, Feb. 3–9, 2025. For more information, please contact [email protected] or 800-972-1162.
###
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is a not‐for‐profit association serving the colored gemstone and natural and cultured Pearl industry since 1981. Headquartered in Dallas, members are trade professionals based in the U.S. and Canada, and AGTA is widely regarded as “The Authority in Color.” AGTA’s activities include organizing educational programs, trade shows, and printed materials and maintaining strong relationships with government officials and other jewelry trade groups. AGTA is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards and practices.