Majors

AGS Confirms Members of 2023-2024 Board of Directors

MajorsMay 22, 2023

AGS Confirms Members of 2023-2024 Board of Directors

One new addition was announced at the Conclave membership breakfast.

2023-2024 American Gem Society International Board of Directors
Members of the AGS International Board of Directors for 2023–2024. Front row: Maria Brown, Bryan Moeller, Sarin Bachmann, Alexis Padis, Lisa Bridge, Sarah Person, John Carter, and Denise Richards. Back row: Kevin Mays, Niveet Nagpal, Ryan Berg, Amanda Coleman-Phelps, Sumit Dangi, Mitchell Clark, David Mazer, and Larry Rickert.
Louisville, Ky.—The American Gem Society confirmed the AGS International Board of Directors for 2023–2024 during its annual membership breakfast, held May 3 during Conclave.

Elected in 2022, Ben Bridge Jeweler CEO Lisa Bridge, CG, remains the association’s president, and Padis Jewelry President Alexis Padis, CGA, remains president-elect.

David Mazer, CG, is a new addition to the board, elected as a director-at-large. Mazer is the director of sales and training, diamond buyer, for Marks Jewelers in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania. He succeeds Rick Beckett, owner of Skeie's Jewelers in Oregon.

“We are excited to welcome David to the board. He brings valuable expertise, and we look forward to working with him,” said Bridge.

“I would also like to thank Rick Beckett for his service to the American Gem Society Board. His contribution is greatly appreciated, and we count on his continued involvement in the society.”

Also new to the board this year is Sumit Dangi, who was appointed in November of last year, replacing Jamie Luce, who retired in September upon leaving the jewelry industry.

 Related stories will be right here … 

Joining the president and president-elect, along with Mazer and Dangi, on AGS’s International Board of Directors are the following industry members.

Secretary and chair, Gemological Sciences Committee: Bryan Moeller, CGA
Senior advisor: William Farmer Jr.
Treasurer and chair, Finance, Audit & Legal Committee: Larry Rickert
Chair, AGS Laboratories Advisory Committee and Gemological Sciences Committee: John Carter, CGA
Chair, Young Titleholders Committee: Maria Brown, RJ
Chair, Membership Committee: Mitchell Clark, CG
Chair, International Guilds Council: Amanda Coleman-Phelps, CGA
Chair, Education Committee: Sarah Person, CG
Chair, Conclave Subcommittee: Denise Richards, CGA
Director-at-Large: Sarin Bachmann
Director-at-Large: Ryan Berg, CG
Director-at-Large: Kevin Mays, CGA
Director-at-Large: Niveet Nagpal, CG

AGS Conclave 2024 will be held April 15-17 in Austin, Texas, with more details to follow.

To learn more about the American Gem Society, visit its website.

Lauren McLemoreis the associate editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments.

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