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Douglas K. Hucker Announces Departure from American Gem Trade Association

Kimberly Collins, president of AGTA, will serve as interim CEO.

Published

2 years ago

March 3, 2022

INSTORE Staff

Douglas K. Hucker

DALLAS, TX — Douglas K. Hucker, CEO, of the American Gem Trade Association, announced his departure from the organization, effective March 2.

AGTA has been under the leadership of Hucker for the past 24 years. Hucker came to AGTA after serving as president and partner of The Registry Ltd., a firm specializing in antique and estate jewelry.

Kimberly Collins, president of AGTA, will serve as interim CEO.

“As more than two decades of service ends with Doug’s departure, we know there will be stories recollected for years to come of his involvement in the colored gemstone industry and all who have encountered him on personal and professional matters,” Collins said. “He is a respected friend to many, and his leadership will be remembered as AGTA moves into the next phase of growth and development.”

More from the press release:

AGTA has grown to become the leader in colored gemstone sales, education, designer brand recognition and the most important annual gem trade show in the world, the AGTA GemFair Tucson. The additions of the Las Vegas Gem and Jewelry Show to AGTA and The Hard Rock Summit in Denver to the line-up in 2021, has further accented sales and AGTA’s commitment to its members for quality trade show opportunities and new clients.

Hucker helped put the AGTA brand to work in many areas of global education and important business practices such as gemstone treatment disclosure, origin importance, affiliation with groups such as CIBJO, the Women’s Jewelry Association, the Gemological Institute of America, Gem-A, Platinum Guild International, the Diamond Council of America and Jewelers of America, to name just a few. These partnerships have strengthened the core mission of AGTA through the years to effectively communicate with the members, who place their trust in AGTA to always uphold ethical business practices.

“As more than two decades of service ends with Doug’s departure, we know there will be stories recollected for years to come of his involvement in the colored gemstone industry and all who have encountered him on personal and professional matters. He is a respected friend to many, and his leadership will be remembered as AGTA moves into the next phase of growth and development,” said Kimberly Collins, AGTA President. “The AGTA Board of Directors wishes Doug and his family good health, prosperity and the best for their future endeavors.”

The AGTA Board of Directors will begin the process of selecting a CEO soon. All inquiries, questions or pending business matters should be referred to Kimberly Collins, President, who will serve as the interim CEO.

When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”