The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) welcomed three new members to its board of governors and bid farewell to three who completed their terms at the board’s regularly scheduled November meeting at the Institute’s world headquarters in Carlsbad, California.
The GIA said the incoming Governors have a wealth of diverse and high-level experience. Karen Evans, national director of the US Cyber Challenge (USCC) and a partner at KE&T Partners, has over 25 years of US government service, including responsibility for IT implementation and cybersecurity. Lawrence Ma, chief executive of Lee Heng Diamond Group and founding president of the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, brings more than 45 years of industry experience including senior roles in several leading trade organizations. Robert Andrew ‘Andy’ Johnson, CEO of Diamond Cellar Holdings, has extensive experience in retail and commercial real estate.
“Karen Evans, Lawrence Ma and Andy Johnson bring expertise, insight and deep knowledge in areas that are vital to continued success in today’s dynamic global market. They will undoubtedly make a significant contribution as members of the GIA board of governors as we work to further GIA’s public benefit mission,” said GIA President Susan Jacques. “We thank the departing governors for their many years of wise counsel and dedicated service.”
The departing Governors are John A. Green, president and CEO of Lux Bond & Green, James P. Shinehouse, managing partner of Atlantic Financial Advisory Partners and Ephraim Zion, managing director of Dehres Ltd.
The board meeting was preceded by the GIA’s 11th annual research meeting, that saw nearly 60 experts from across the globe, who gathered review topics including developments in instrumentation, advancements in detecting diamond treatments and synthetics, origin determination of coloured gemstones, and pearl structures.
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