Grading

GIA Adds 2 New Members to Board of Governors

GradingNov 19, 2021

GIA Adds 2 New Members to Board of Governors

The institute welcomed Dave Bindra, vice president of operations at B&B Fine Gems, and diamond industry executive Marcus ter Haar.

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Dave Bindra of B&B Fine Gems, left, and diamond industry executive Marcus ter Haar have joined GIA’s board of governors.
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America’s board of governors has two new members.

The institute announced Wednesday that it has added Dave Bindra of B&B Fine Gems and diamond industry executive Marcus ter Haar

Bindra is vice president of operations and head of acquisitions at B&B Fine Gems, with experience sourcing, cutting, and recutting fine and rare colored stones. 

He also serves on the boards of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, American Gem Society Young Titleholders, the 24 Karat Club of Southern California, Black in Jewelry Coalition, and the Jewelers Advisory Council. 

Bindra graduated from the University of Southern California and received his GIA Graduate Gemologist diploma in 2007. 

Ter Haar has years of experience in various sectors of the diamond value chain. 

He previously served as the managing director of the Okavango Diamond Company, giving him extensive knowledge of governance.

Ter Haar serves on various boards in the private sector and for nonprofits, including international luxury tourism company Wilderness Holdings, Diamonds Do Good, and the Lady Khama Charitable Trust. 

 Related stories will be right here … 

GIA welcomed the two new members at its first in-person meeting in two years, held from Nov. 5-8 in Carlsbad, California. 

The event also saw Lisa Locklear, senior vice president and chief financial officer at Avanir Pharmaceuticals, named chair-elect of GIA’s board of governors, succeeding Dione Kenyon, the former president and CEO of the Jewelers Board of Trade.

The board also said goodbye to Amit Dhamani, CEO and managing director of Dhamani Jewels Group, who completed his nine-year term as a governor. 

During the meeting, the board reviewed GIA’s strategic plans and priorities to ensure it continues its mission of advancing consumer protection. 

Prior to the event, the GIA global research team convened for its 15th annual meeting to review the latest research advances on natural and lab-grown diamonds, colored stones, pearls, and specialized instrumentation. 

The three-day meeting covered research and applications for artificial intelligence, diamond origin determination, and other aspects of the research program. 

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