Rick Krementz has announced that he will be taking a three month leave of absence, effective Monday from his position as president of the American Gem Trade Association.

“Due to recent calamitous occurrences in my business I find it necessary to spend the next three months devoted entirely to my company” Krementz said. “While I hold the utmost sense of responsibility to this organization and the members who supported me in my presidency, the short term demands of my business necessitate my full attention. As a result, I feel that I will not be able to fairly attend to the responsibilities of the office of President of AGTA. Accordingly, as per our constitution, I have asked Barbara Lawrence, our vice president, to assume the office of President until my anticipated return on October 1, 2006,” said Krementz.

JCK