Brook Ellis, GIA‘s vice-president of education, received a 2007 Distance Education and Training Council Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding contributions to DETC. The DETC award is presented to individuals inside the distance education field for service that has enhanced the image of distance education or significantly furthered the work of the DETC.

With Ellis’ assistance, GIA has hosted several DETC regional meetings, as well as DETC conferences. GIA also printed a four-color DETC Federal Student Aid Training Program booklet.

Ellis’ career in the jewelry industry started in 1959 at Henry Birks & Sons, Ltd., one of Canada’s largest fine jewelry retail chains. His last official position with Birks was vice president of fine jewelry. He left Birks in 1995 to join GIA. Ellis has held positions with the American Gem Society, the 24 Karat Club of America, Jewellers Vigilance Canada, Jewellery World Magazine, and the Jewelers Education Foundation. He served on GIA’s Board of Governors from 1983-1995.

Ellis received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto in 1959. He received the American Gem Society’s Registered Jeweler designation in 1961 and the Certified Gemologist title in 1964. He was elected to the DETC Board of Trustees in 2000 and was elected second vice president of DETC in 2001. Ellis was elected to the DETC Accrediting Commission in 2002 and also serves as DETC treasurer. He has also participated on numerous DETC on-site evaluations.

JCK