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.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
