Rio Tinto Names Foerster to Lead New U.S. Office

By JCK Online Staff -- JCK Online, 5/1/2007 4:27:00 PM

Rio Tinto Diamonds, one of the world's leading diamond companies, has opened a representative office in New York. This new office will represent Rio Tinto Diamonds in the U.S., the world's largest retail diamond jewelry market and support Rio Tinto Diamonds' customers, its Select Diamantaires, in their U.S.-based downstream activities.

Rebecca Foerster has been appointed to manage Rio Tinto Diamond's U.S. representative office. Foerster brings a wealth of experience to her role, with strong knowledge of the US jewelry market, and proven merchandising, marketing, and brand management skills gained over 20 years in cosmetics and global branding industry. Before joining Rio Tinto Diamonds, Rebecca was Vice President of Marketing for Frederick Goldman, one of the largest manufacturers of bridal jewelry in the U.S., supplying diversified product lines to independent jewelers and major accounts.

"For a sales and marketing led company like ours, Rebecca's appointment and the opening of our US office will be invaluable in continuing to build the success for the business and drive competitive advantage for our Select Diamantaires and Rio Tinto Diamonds," said Marc Lieberherr, Rio Tinto general manager.

Rio Tinto's diamond mining and marketing interests include the Argyle Diamond mine in Australia, the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada, and the Murowa Diamond Mine in Zimbabwe. All of Rio Tinto Diamonds rough production is sold through one of a distinguished group of customers, known as Select Diamantaires.