The American Gem Society CEO is stepping down after 24 years

Ruth Batson says that leaving the American Gem Society next year after 24 years will be “bittersweet.”

Batson will be stepping down from her twin roles as CEO of AGS and its lab in the summer of 2017.

“I’m really looking forward to this new phase in my life,” she says. “My husband and I have bought a ranch in Montana, and we are going to raise horses and play cowboy and cowgirl and do things that we both dreamed of doing while we’re still able to do it. But saying yes to this new phase of my life means saying good-bye to my other love, which is the American Gem Society.”

Her 24 years with the group was a “wonderful professional experience.”

“When I was hired as controller, I never dreamed I’d be sitting here in this position today retiring after 24 years, having had the opportunity to steward the organization,” she says.  

But she feels she is leaving the AGS is in a strong position.

“It is very strong, very relevant, and it was doing great before I got here and it will do great for many decades after my time,” she says. “As I told [JCK ] years ago, my mantra is: ‘Infinite gratitude toward all things past. Infinite service toward all things present. Infinite responsibility toward all things future.’ ”

For now, though, she is still living in the present.

“I still have a lot to do,” she says. “I still have a lot of things on my plate.”

In the future, she hopes to keep attending Conclaves.

“I’ll always be a supporter of the jewelry industry,” she says.

Top: Batson at the 2012 AGS Conclave (photo by Mike Gibson/UniversalImage.net)

 

 

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