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.”
More on Majors
The Latest
AuctionsNov 13, 2026
Historic ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Achieves $4.9M at Sotheby’sThe 197-carat Russian Crown jewel was the leading lot of Sotheby's white-glove Royal & Noble Jewels sale this week.
CollectionsNov 13, 2026
Maison Marcelle’s Bracelet Flows Like FabricThe “Équation” bracelet, our Piece of the Week, was built via 24 gold modules assembled into a piece that feels like fabric on the wrist.
IndependentsNov 13, 2026
Texas Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsAlter’s Gem Jewelry in Beaumont, Texas, is closing as Brian and Lori Alter retire to spend more time with family.
Brought to you by
DSF Antique Jewelry: Fine Jewelry, Signed Designers, and a World of Rare DiscoveriesWith over 50 years experience in the trade, DSF Antique Jewelry offers quality, craftsmanship, condition, and remarkable variety.
Events & AwardsNov 13, 2026
Tiffany & Co., CFDA Unveil Second Jewelry Designer Award Finalists Five finalists have been chosen for the Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award’s second cycle.
Weekly QuizNov 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeNov 12, 2026
1 of 7 Men Charged in $100M Brinks Heist to Plead GuiltyThree of the other alleged perpetrators will stand trial next March, while two remain on the lam and one was deported late last year.
AuctionsNov 12, 2026
24-Carat ‘Bulgari Pink’ Diamond Sells for $14.8MUnseen for more than seven decades, the fancy intense pink diamond was the star of Christie’s Geneva jewelry auction.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
WatchesNov 12, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Now Offers Certified Pre-Owned Rolex WatchesThe curated selection is available online and at its showroom in Austin, Texas.
IndependentsNov 12, 2026
Greenberg’s Jewelers Welcomes New Fourth-Generation MembersThe next generation understands what makes the 126-year-old retailer special, said CEO and Co-President Elise Greenberg.
Lab-GrownNov 10, 2026
GIA Examines Pink Lab-Grown Diamond Made to Look NaturalThe 6-carat CVD-grown pink diamond was “deliberately modified” to mimic the appearance of a natural rough diamond, the lab said.
SourcingNov 10, 2026
Botswana in Line to Take Controlling Stake in De Beers, President Says If the Global Diamond Consortium emerges as the top bidder for De Beers, Botswana’s stake will double to 30 percent, Duma Boko said Monday.
ColumnistsNov 10, 2026
Who Checks the Facts When AI Writes Your Jewelry Copy?An incorrect AI-generated ad or product description can cost your store valuable consumer trust.
Events & AwardsNov 09, 2026
Here Are the 2027 Gem Award NomineesThese nine individuals and brands are up for a Gem Award in the Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation categories.
CrimeNov 09, 2026
Jeweler Pistol-Whipped, $900K in Jewelry Stolen During Home Invasion The incident, which happened in Miami-Dade County, serves as a reminder to jewelers of the dangers of selling and storing jewelry at home.
GradingNov 09, 2026
GIA Acquires Thousands of Gem Specimens With ‘Extraordinary’ InclusionsGIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula curated the collection of 2,665 crystals, gems, and minerals over a 60-year span.
CollectionsNov 09, 2026
Bibi van der Velden’s Alligators Become High JewelryThe “Eclipse” collection, the brand’s first high jewelry line, centers its alligator motif in diamond and spinel jewels.
EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
