The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) announced the results of its annual AGTA Board of Directors Election and AGTA Bylaws Amendments. There were eight Directors elected to the Board. The following AGTA Firm Members were elected to serve a (3) three-year term on the Board of Directors: Ann Barker, Barker & Company; John Bradshaw, John J. Bradshaw; Bruce Bridges, Bridges Tsavorite; Malinda Daniel, Tim Roark, Inc.; Ravi Jajoo, United Color Gems, Inc.; Oren Nhaissi, EMCO Gem, Inc.
The following AGTA Firm Members were elected to serve a (2) two-year term on the Board of Directors: Jaimeen Shah, Prima Gems USA, LLC, and Bryan Lichtenstein, 3090 Gems. The Directors-elect will take office in February 2026.
The following Members will continue with their positions on the Board, Dudley Blauwet, Dudley Blauwet Gems; Matthew Hopkins, Hopkins Opal; Cynthia Renee Marcusson, Cynthia Renee, Inc; Eshvar Kotahwala, Vinod Kotahwala Inc; Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem Corporation; Tracey Lindwall, Nomad’s Lapidary Co Inc dba Nomads; Rohan Agrawal, Shanu G Inc.
AGTA President Bruce Bridges, the AGTA Board of Directors, and the AGTA staff would like to recognize and thank Jonathan Gad for his nine years of outstanding service on the AGTA Board of Directors. Gad will be leaving the Board after the Board’s Tucson meeting in February.
Past President Kimberly Collins chaired the Nominating Committee. The Committee Members were Renata Abrahami, John Bachman, Amit Birani, and Afshin Hackman. 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 2–6, 2026. For more information, please contact AGTA at info@agta.org or 800-972-1162.
AGTA Firm Members approved the Amendments to AGTA’s Bylaws with 91.7 % in favor. In accordance with AGTA’s Bylaws, a vote to amend the Bylaws must have at least two thirds (66.67%) of the Firm Members voting in favor of the proposed change.
The AGTA Constitution and Bylaws Committee is chaired by Jaimeen Shah. Committee members are Jeffrey Bilgore, Bruce Bridges, Kimberly Collins, Malinda Daniel, John W. Ford Sr., Cynthia Renee Marcusson, Ron Rahmanan, and Ray Zajicek.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to our Membership for their votes of confidence in affirming the Board of Directors and endorsing the path forward for the American Gem Trade Association,” said AGTA President Bruce Bridges. “I am also pleased to welcome and congratulate our newly elected Directors as they join the Board. With this exceptional group of leaders, I am confident in our ability to navigate the challenges ahead and to advance the interests of both our Association and the broader colored gemstone industry. Together, we remain committed to strengthening our community, upholding the highest standards, and championing the continued growth and success of our sector.”
“I thank membership for endorsing the Bylaws amendments as proposed by the Board,” said AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. “The amendments will strengthen and protect AGTA’s role as the leader in ethical practices in the jewelry industry.”
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is a not‐for‐profit association serving the colored gemstone 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 and trade shows, producing 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.
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