AGTA President Announces Leave of Absence

AGTA President Rick Krementz has announced that he is taking a three month leave of absence, effective July 17, 2006, from his position at the American Gem Trade Association. Barbara Lawrence, AGTA vice president, is taking over as interim president of the organization.

"Due to recent calamitous occurrences in my business I find it necessary to spend the next three months devoted entirely to my company" said Krementz. "While I hold the utmost sense of responsibility to this organization and the members who supported me in my presidency, the short term demands of my business necessitate my full attention. As a result, I feel that I will not be able to fairly attend to the responsibilities of the office of president of AGTA."