January/February 2003 • To the Finish • Economy Dominated Jewelers Sales in 2002 • News & Updates • In This Issue

AGTA Elects New Officers
By Cara Woudenberg · Online Editor

DALLAS — The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) announced the results of the 2003 elections for the AGTA Board of Directors. The new officers and directors will serve three-year terms and will be introduced at the AGTA membership meeting on Sunday, February 9, 2003 in Tucson, Arizona. They begin their terms on Tuesday, February 11, 2003.

Elections were held for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, as well as three Director positions. Eric Braunwart, president and sole stockholder of Columbia Gem House, Inc., was elected AGTA president. Braunwart has been active nationally in advancing the level of ethics and standards adhered to throughout the gem industry. He has also been active in helping promote and expand the overall jewelry market. He was a founding member of the AGTA in 1981, and has been on the Board of Directors for approximately 16 previous years and held positions as Vice President, Marketing Chairperson, Secretary, and Board Member.

Other officers elected were: Vice President - Ashok Sancheti, Pioneer Gems; Secretary - Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman and Company; Treasurer - Barbara Lawrence, Boston Gems and Findings, Inc.; Director - Betty Sue King, King's Ransom; Director - Michael Arnstein, Walter Arnstein, Inc.; Director - Glenn Lehrer, Glenn Lehrer Designs.

Posted: January 23, 2003