The American Gem Trade Association announced the results of the 2008 elections for the AGTA Board of Directors. The new officers will serve three-year terms and will be introduced at the AGTA Membership Meeting on Feb. 10 in Tucson, Ariz.

Elections were held for vice president, secretary and three director positions. The following officers were elected:

Vice President: Robert Bentley, Robert Bentley Company, Inc.
Secretary: Betty Sue King, King’s Ransom
Director: Benjamin (BJ) Hackman, Intercolor, Inc.
Director: Bill Larson, Pala International, Inc.
Director: Gerry Manning, Manning International, Inc.

The newly elected members of the Board will join the following officers and directors who are currently serving terms on the AGTA Board:

President: Barbara Lawrence, Boston Gems and Findings, Inc.
Vice President:  Omi Nagpal, Omi Gems, Inc.
Secretary: Kambiz Sabouri, Gem 2000, Inc.
Treasurer: Sampat Poddar Byrex, Gems, Inc.
Director: Peter Bazar, Imperial-Deltah, Inc.
Director: Eric Schwotzer, Penn Gem International
Director: Glenn Lehrer, Lehrer Designs
Director: Sushil Goyal, Liberty Gems, Inc.
Director: John Bachman, John M. Bachman, Inc.
Director: Joe Orlando, Stuller, Inc.
Director: Soraya Cayen, Soraya Cayen Collection
Past President: Eric Braunwart, Columbia Gem House, Inc.

The AGTA Board of Directors holds elections on a rotating cycle in order to guarantee coherence of the Board’s long-term plans. The AGTA Membership Meeting is open to all AGTA members and will be held Feb. 10 at 8 a.m. a.m. at the Tucson Convention Center in the Spectrum of Design Ballroom.

JCK