Lee Berg, Doug Hucker, and Joel Schechter will all be honored by the American Gem Society at its annual Circle of Distinction dinner.
Berg, CEO of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, will win the AGS Lifetime Achievement Award. Hucker, CEO of the American Gem Trade Association, and Schechter, CEO of Honora, will both win AGS Triple Zero awards. All the awards salute service to the industry.
The award ceremony will take place July 29 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
“Lee is a revered industry leader and a mentor to many,” said Ruth Batson, CEO of the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories, in a statement. “Doug is a good friend only not to the American Gem Society, but he’s a tireless advocate for the members of the AGTA. Joel has volunteered with numerous organizations in the industry and is a shining example of leadership through volunteer service. Congratulations to all three.”
In related news, at its annual Conclave, the group honored the New York/New Jersey Guild as its Guild of the Year.
Chair of the International Guilds committee Laura Stanley said in a statement the New York/New Jersey chapter featured a wide variety of “enticing events,” including a demonstration of diamond cutting and tour of Google.
Accepting the award on behalf of the guild was its president Marcelia Cruz-Hicks. Joining her onstage were fellow guild members Angela Crespo, Marc Nanasi, Nicky Mehta, Andy Padte, and Peter Stavrianidis.
In addition, Penn. retailer Cathy Calhoun won the group’s inaugural Sallie Morton award, bestowed to someone who goes above and beyond in encouraging the growth of local guilds.
“Thanks to [Calhoun’s] enthusiasm and inspired blueprint, AGS now has 32 guilds in over two years,” Stanley said.
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