(PRESS RELEASE) DALLAS, TX — The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) announced the results of its annual AGTA Board of Directors’ election.
Mr. Bruce Bridges, Bridges Tsavorite, was elected President for a three-year term. Mr. Matt Hopkins, Hopkins Opal, and Eshvar Kotahwala, Vinod Kotahwala, Inc., were re-elected to serve three-year terms. Mr. Dudley Blauwet, Dudley Blauwet Gems, was re-elected and will serve a two-year term. There were two new Directors elected to the Board for three-year terms, Mr. Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corporation, and Ms. 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:
- Ann Barker
- Melinda Daniel
- Ravi Jajoo
- Ron Rahmanan
- John Bradshaw
- Jonathan Gad
- Cynthia Renee
- Jaimeen Shah
AGTA would like to recognize Kimberly Collins, Kimberly Collins Colored Gems, for her dedication and leadership as AGTA President. She will now serve as Past President. AGTA would also like to recognize Eric Yen, Yen’s Jewelry & Accessories, for his commitment to the AGTA Board of Directors. Their terms as President and Director will end in February 2025. “Congratulations to our newly elected Board members! First, I would like to congratulate incoming President Bruce Bridges of Bridges Tsavorite and Matthew Hopkins of Hopkins Opal, Dudley Blauwet of Dudley Blauwet Gems, and Eshvar Kotahwala of Vinod Kotahwala, Inc. returning for a second term on the board of directors. Congratulations to 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 board members will begin their term after our Tucson show in 2025. Congratulations!” said AGTA President, Kimberly Collins.
Past President Ruben Bindra chaired the Nominating Committee. The Committee Members were 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 AGTA Members and will be held during AGTA GemFair Tucson, February 3 – 9, 2025. For more information, please contact info@agta.org or 800-972-1162.
