Current CEO Ruth Batson is set to retire next year.
Earlier this year, the American Gem Society (AGS) and AGS Laboratories announced that CEO Ruth Batson would be retiring in the summer of 2017. A search for her replacement has begun, and the opening is posted on the AGS website as well as other career sites.
The AGS’ board of directors has appointed a committee of members to lead the search. Louis Smith of Smithworks Fine Jewelry is the committee chair, and he is joined by AGS members Scott Berg of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, Ed Bridge of Ben Bridge Jeweler, John Carter of Jack Lewis Jewelers, Mark Moeller of R.F. Moeller Jeweler, and Yancy Weinrich (JCK Shows).
“Ruth will be a tough act to follow and we appreciate that she has provided ample notice so that we can transition the new CEO under her guidance,” says Smith. “We are giving much thought and consideration to this search process. It’s important that we find someone who is committed to the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories’ mission of consumer protection.”
To help with the search, the AGS and AGS Laboratories have engaged Carlson Beck, a nonprofit executive search firm. To learn more about the opening, contact Sally Carlson, managing partner at Carlson Beck, at 415.433.2299 or email sally@carlsonbeck.com. The deadline for submissions is Sept. 9, 2016.
Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless
When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time.
"We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them.
Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."
