Shmuel Schnitzer, president of the Israel Diamond Exchange, and the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, as well as partner of M. Schnitzer & Co. Diamonds and Terry Burman, chairman and CEO of Sterling Jewelers Inc., have been named co-chairs of the Gemological Institute of America 2003 League of Honor Founders Dinner.

The dinner, scheduled for October 20 in New York, is held annually by the GIA to honor major contributors to its nonprofit education and research activities, who are inducted at the event into the GIA League of Honor.

Schnitzer was chosen to co-chair the League of Honor Founders Dinner because of his outstanding contribution to the international diamond industry, said GIA Chief Development Officer Linda Ellis.

“We look for people who have truly made a difference in their industry segment and the overall trade, and who have demonstrated great integrity, ethics and business savvy. important dinner of the year,” she said.

The co-chairs were chosen in keeping with the tradition of the League of Honor Founders Dinner. One co-chair is selected from the diamond industry, and the other represents the retail sector. The selection is made by the executive officers of GIA, with guidance from the Institute’s Board of Governors.

“I feel that being chosen to serve as co-chair of this very important event is a huge honor,” Schnitzer said. “However, I do not see it only as an honor for me, but also for the entire diamond industry in Israel, which I represent, as well as for the 24 diamond exchanges around the world who are members of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses.”

JCK