MajorsAug 01, 2022
GIA Appoints First Vice President of Sustainability ProgramsSourcingAug 02, 2022
AGTA Names John Ford as Its New CEO
He’s the owner of The Lightning Ridge Collection but will pivot to focus on his new role.
John Ford, who has been in the industry for more than three decades, is the new CEO of the American Gem Trade Association.
Dallas—The American Gem Trade Association’s board of directors has named John W. Ford Sr. as the organization’s new CEO.
The appointment is effective immediately. He replaces Doug Hucker, who left the position in March after more than two decades heading the organization. (Hucker has since been named CEO of the International Colored Gemstone Association.)
Ford will relocate to Dallas by the end of the month, AGTA confirmed.
He previously served on AGTA’s board of directors as a member and as treasurer and has 38 years of experience in the industry.
Based in Galveston, Texas, Ford is the owner of The Lightning Ridge Collection by John Ford, which is centered on black opals from Lighting Ridge in Australia, but will move on from that business so he can focus on his new role, AGTA said.
He’s also an American Gem Society member, a Lightning Ridge Mining Association member, and a longtime AGTA member who has won multiple Spectrum Awards.
Ford brings more than a decade of corporate governance experience to the role, having served in leadership roles ranging from chairman of the Port of Galveston to serving as the president of the Galveston Independent School District, among other leadership positions.
He graduated from Texas A&M University with a specialized degree in international trade and finance and is an alumnus of the Gemological Institute of America.
“I am very honored by the confidence in my leadership expressed by [AGTA] President [Kimberly] Collins and the AGTA board of directors,” Ford said.
He added: “We will put our firm members interests first, with increased emphasis on developing retail memberships. The industry will see a reinvigorated AGTA increasing the promotion of natural colored gemstones and pearls, while perpetuating the highest ethical industry standards.”
Collins said: “Ford was selected as the ideal candidate to lead AGTA after a professionally managed comprehensive search interviewing many applicants, including Ford. John’s knowledge of AGTA’s operations along with his corporate governance experience made him the clear choice.”
She added, “John’s vision of AGTA is aligned with AGTA’s executive committee, and he has developed a very close working relationship and trust with the officers, the board, and the Dallas staff.”
Related stories will be right here …
The appointment is effective immediately. He replaces Doug Hucker, who left the position in March after more than two decades heading the organization. (Hucker has since been named CEO of the International Colored Gemstone Association.)
Ford will relocate to Dallas by the end of the month, AGTA confirmed.
He previously served on AGTA’s board of directors as a member and as treasurer and has 38 years of experience in the industry.
Based in Galveston, Texas, Ford is the owner of The Lightning Ridge Collection by John Ford, which is centered on black opals from Lighting Ridge in Australia, but will move on from that business so he can focus on his new role, AGTA said.
He’s also an American Gem Society member, a Lightning Ridge Mining Association member, and a longtime AGTA member who has won multiple Spectrum Awards.
Ford brings more than a decade of corporate governance experience to the role, having served in leadership roles ranging from chairman of the Port of Galveston to serving as the president of the Galveston Independent School District, among other leadership positions.
He graduated from Texas A&M University with a specialized degree in international trade and finance and is an alumnus of the Gemological Institute of America.
“I am very honored by the confidence in my leadership expressed by [AGTA] President [Kimberly] Collins and the AGTA board of directors,” Ford said.
He added: “We will put our firm members interests first, with increased emphasis on developing retail memberships. The industry will see a reinvigorated AGTA increasing the promotion of natural colored gemstones and pearls, while perpetuating the highest ethical industry standards.”
Collins said: “Ford was selected as the ideal candidate to lead AGTA after a professionally managed comprehensive search interviewing many applicants, including Ford. John’s knowledge of AGTA’s operations along with his corporate governance experience made him the clear choice.”
She added, “John’s vision of AGTA is aligned with AGTA’s executive committee, and he has developed a very close working relationship and trust with the officers, the board, and the Dallas staff.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The Latest
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
