WatchesAug 19, 2022
WatchBox Names Jack Forster Global Editorial DirectorMajorsAug 29, 2022
GIA Announces New Business Development Hires
Daniel VanDrew and Matthew Morabito previously worked with LVMH, TAG Heuer, and Tiffany & Co.
Richard Pesqueira (left) heads GIA’s business development team, which has added Daniel VanDrew (center) and Matthew Morabito to its ranks.
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America is beefing up its business development team.
New hires Matthew Morabito and Daniel VanDrew have been appointed directors of business development and will report to Vice President of Business Development Richard Pesqueira.
VanDrew boasts nearly three decades in the watch and jewelry world.
For the past 18 years, he has been a key account manager and director of national accounts at LVMH and TAG Heuer.
His roles have included managing relations with single-store independents to large, multi-store operations.
VanDrew has an MBA from the University of Arizona, Eller Graduate School of Management. He has bachelor’s degrees in business administration and communications.
Morabito joined GIA in April. Before that, he worked his way up from sales training manager to senior director in five years at Tiffany & Co.
His most recent role was as a senior director on the “Love and Engagement” floor at Tiffany’s New York City flagship store.
Before his tenure at the jeweler, Morabito was a territory manager for Hearts on Fire and a senior manager at retailer Michaels Jewelers in Connecticut.
He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Paier College of Art.
Both recent hires will assist retailers and brands in catering to their clientele via GIA’s education offerings and sales tools.
“Our goal is to serve our valued clients in new and meaningful ways, supporting their success with the latest and most relevant GIA products and services,” said Pesqueira.
“Matthew and Daniel bring a wealth of gems and jewelry industry retail experience and a client-centric mindset that will deepen our engagement with the marketplace.”
Related stories will be right here …
New hires Matthew Morabito and Daniel VanDrew have been appointed directors of business development and will report to Vice President of Business Development Richard Pesqueira.
VanDrew boasts nearly three decades in the watch and jewelry world.
For the past 18 years, he has been a key account manager and director of national accounts at LVMH and TAG Heuer.
His roles have included managing relations with single-store independents to large, multi-store operations.
VanDrew has an MBA from the University of Arizona, Eller Graduate School of Management. He has bachelor’s degrees in business administration and communications.
Morabito joined GIA in April. Before that, he worked his way up from sales training manager to senior director in five years at Tiffany & Co.
His most recent role was as a senior director on the “Love and Engagement” floor at Tiffany’s New York City flagship store.
Before his tenure at the jeweler, Morabito was a territory manager for Hearts on Fire and a senior manager at retailer Michaels Jewelers in Connecticut.
He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Paier College of Art.
Both recent hires will assist retailers and brands in catering to their clientele via GIA’s education offerings and sales tools.
“Our goal is to serve our valued clients in new and meaningful ways, supporting their success with the latest and most relevant GIA products and services,” said Pesqueira.
“Matthew and Daniel bring a wealth of gems and jewelry industry retail experience and a client-centric mindset that will deepen our engagement with the marketplace.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
Events & AwardsSep 30, 2026
Jewelers of America, JA New York to Host Networking EventThe event will take place on the evening of Oct. 26 in New York City.
IndependentsSep 29, 2026
Christy Bromberg, Longtime Gift Buyer for Underwood Jewelers, Dies at 68She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionOnline bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.
Events & AwardsSep 29, 2026
Matt Stuller to Receive 2027 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementThe founder and executive chairman of Stuller Inc. is being honored for his impact on the jewelry industry at the 25th annual Gem Awards.
ColumnistsSep 29, 2026
Your Holiday Marketing Has a Bridal Blind SpotDecember is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction Wednesday.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
De Beers London Drops Water-Inspired High Jewelry Collection“Vibrations” features several firsts for De Beers’ high jewelry, including the use of chalcedony and diamonds sourced from artisanal miners.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
Jessica McCormack Turns to Classic Motif for New CollectionThe “Bows” collection features three interpretations of the bow motif designed with Georgian and Victorian influences.
Events & AwardsSep 28, 2026
Guy Borenstein, Troy Underwood Among the Professionals Honored at AGS Conclave 2026The American Gem Society recognized industry members, one Guild, and a law enforcement official for their contributions to jewelry.
FinancialsSep 28, 2026
Instappraise, Jewelers Mutual Look to Simplify Jewelry InsuranceThrough a new system integration, customers can now receive instant personal jewelry insurance quotes at the time of appraisal.
WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2026
Brilliant Earth Collabs with Elizabeth Taylor Estate on Jewelry Collection“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.
TrendsSep 25, 2026
A Peek at Taylor Swift’s Game-Day DiamondsThe artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
