AGTA Announces Results of Annual Board of Directors’ Election: Bruce Bridges of Bridges Tsavorite will be the next President of the AGTA Board of Directors starting in 2025
AGTA Press Release
September 10, 2024
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has announced the results of its annual AGTA Board of Directors’ election.
Serving on the Executive Committee
Executive Committee members for the 2025 Board of Directors are as follows:
President: Bruce Bridges, Bridges Tsavorite
Members also elected to serve on the Executive Committee are:
Matt Hopkins, Hopkins Opal (re-elected to serve a three-year term)
Eshvar Kotahwala, Vinod Kotahwala, Inc. (re-elected to serve a three-year term)
Dudley Blauwet, Dudley Blauwet Gems (re-elected to serve a two-year term)
Newly Elected to the Board
Two newly elected Directors who will serve for three-year terms include:
Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corporation
Tracy Lindwall, Nomad’s Lapidary Co., Inc., dba Nomads
All of the above Directors-elect will take office in February 2025.
Continuing on the AGTA Board
The following members will continue with their positions on the Board:
Rohan Agrawal, Shanu G.
Ann Barker, Barker & Company
John Bradshaw, John J. Bradshaw
Melinda Daniel, Tim Roark, Inc.
Jonathan Gad, GAD Enterprises
Ravi Jajoo, United Color Gems, Inc.
Cynthia Renee, Cynthia Renee, Inc.
Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem Corporation
Jaimeen Shah, Prima Gems USA, LLC
In Recognition
AGTA would like to recognize Kimberly Collins, Kimberly Collins Colored Gems, for her dedication and leadership as AGTA President. She will continue to serve until AGTA GemFair Tucson 2025, at which point she will step into the role of Immediate Past President.
AGTA would also like to recognize Eric Yen, Yen’s Jewelry & Accessories, for his commitment to the AGTA Board of Directors. His term as Director will also end in February 2025.
“Congratulations to our newly elected Board members!” says Collins. “First, I would like to welcome incoming President Bruce Bridges of Bridges Tsavorite, whose passion for ethics in our industry is unsurpassed. I’m thrilled to see Matthew Hopkins of Hopkins Opal, Dudley Blauwet of Dudley Blauwet Gems and Eshvar Kotahwala of Vinod Kotahwala, Inc., returning for second terms on the Board of Directors. I’m also pleased to see 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 officials will begin their terms after the 2025 GemFair Tucson. I wish you all tremendous success in your roles!”
The Nominations Committee
Past President Ruben Bindra chaired the Nominating Committee. Other members included 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, Feb. 3–9, 2025. For more information, please contact [email protected] or call 800-972-1162.
