Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
Chip and Joanna Gaines to Headline Retail Conference
The “Fixer Upper” stars are the keynote speakers at the National Retail Federation’s upcoming convention.

Washington—The National Retail Federation’s upcoming convention, called Retail’s Big Show, will feature some familiar faces.
On Jan. 15, Chip and Joanna Gaines, entrepreneurs and stars of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper” series, will deliver the closing keynote address at the 108th edition of the annual conference.
The couple are owners of design and remodeling business Magnolia, which they founded in 2003. The company has since expanded into a veritable lifestyle brand encompassing not only a design and construction company, but also an online retail store, real estate business and magazine.
They rose to fame in 2013 when “Fixer Upper” began airing; the series shows the couple remodel and flip properties.
In the closing keynote at Retail’s Big Show, the Gaineses will speak about how they’ve created and grown their company in a session titled “Brand Builders: Balancing Business and Creativity to Make a Cultural Connection.”
Also scheduled to speak on brand building on the last day of the convention is entertainment mogul Scooter Braun.
RELATED CONTENT: Signet’s David Bouffard to Speak at NRF’s Big ShowBraun founded media company SB Projects, which conducts business in music, film, television, technology and branding. Braun’s management company, record label and publishing companies include clients like Justin Beiber, Ariana Grande, the Zac Brown Band and Karlie Kloss.
In a statement on the NRF’s website, NRF CEO and President Matthew Shay said: “We are pleased to welcome Chip, Joanna and Scooter to wrap up our show. This is an inspiring group of entrepreneurs who are passionate about cultural connections, social change and showing others how they can grow their businesses.
“Their knowledge and leadership ranging from Main Street retail to the entertainment world will give our attendees a unique perspective on how to continue building their companies both large and small.”
Retail’s Big Show is scheduled to take place in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Jan 13 to 15.
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