Hired, Fired, Retired

Eli Avidar

Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) managing director Eli Avidar stepped down from his role to take up the post of CEO of Azura Consulting. The company, which is owned by Dan Gertler, provides consultancy services for the management of mining assets in Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Avidar was replaced at IDI by Udi Shiental.

The Jewelers Board of Trade (JBT) elected Phyllis Bergman, CEO of Mercury Ring to chair its board of directors. Bergman is the first female to chair the board in JBT's 128-year history. This is not the first time that Bergman has broken through the “diamond” ceiling. She was also the first woman to serve as chairman and president of the 24 Karat Club of New York.

Ernest Blom, chair of the Diamond Dealers Club of South Africa and vice president of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) was elected president of the WFDB. Blom, a past-president of the federation is also an honorary life president of the organization. He replaced Avi Paz, former president of Israel Diamond Exchange.

After rumblings and rumors that had been felt for a few months, Anglo American CEO Cynthia Carroll stepped down in October. Her resignation came amid reports that institutional shareholders were dissatisfied with her performance, in particular the cost overruns of the Minas Rio iron ore mine in Brazil. Earlier in the month, she was appointed chairman of the board of De Beers. Anglo American has an 85 percent share in De Beers. Her replacement at Anglo American and De Beers had yet to be announced at the time of going to print.

A series of management changes took place at Rio Tinto. Among them was the appointment of Rio Tinto Iron Ore International Operations president Alan Davies as the new Diamonds & Minerals chief executive. He replaced Harry Kenyon-Slaney who moved to Brisbane to take up the role of Energy chief executive

Stephane Fischler was elected president of the AWDC, succeeding Nishit 'Bali' Parikh. The board of directors also appointed Kaushik Mehta as vice-president, representing the trade, and Philippe Barsamian as vice-president representing the Bourses.

Moti Ganz was unanimously re-elected as chairman of the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI). Ganz said his main task this term would be to create a comprehensive 10-year strategic plan for IDI, in order to position the Israeli diamond industry as a global leader in rough and polished diamonds.

Moti Ganz

Jeff High, the founder of Gemvision, joined the Lafayette-based DTC Sightholder Stuller as executive vice president, Gemvision and innovation solutions. The company said his hiring would allow it to provide the jewelry industry with a continuous flow of the latest technology and digital solutions. Stuller formed a strategic partnership with Gemvision in 2009 with the goal of enhancing customization tools for retail jewelers.          

Ed Hrabak was tapped by Sterling Jewelers Inc. as its new VP and COO following the retirement of Bill Montalto who left the company after 26 years of service. Other key changes include the promotion of Stuart Lee to senior vice president, Merchandising and General Merchandise manager, and Dawn McGuire, who has been promoted to vice president, Merchandising.

ABN AMRO appointed Erik Jens as chief executive officer of its International Diamond & Jewelry Group (ID&JG). Jens succeeded Victor van der Kwast. Jens has been with ABN AMRO for more than 20 years and has held various senior executive and leadership positions in a number of international roles.

Blue Nile appointed Harvey Kanter as its chief executive officer and president, replacing Diane Irvine who resigned in November 2011. Interim-CEO Vijay Talwar was appointed general manager and president of Blue Nile's international business.

At Rio Tinto Diamonds, Tarun Malkani was appointed to the post of chief operating officer, India. Malkani, an engineer by training, was director of Rio Tinto’s aluminum business in India.

De Beers CEO Philippe Mellier replaced Jonathan Oppenheimer as the chairman of Element Six, De Beer’s synthetic diamond production subsidiary. Oppenheimer left his role as a result of his family’s share in De Beers being bought by Anglo American.

Rajiv Jain

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) appointed Stephen B. Morisseau as its public relations director. Morisseau is responsible for implementing and driving communication strategies that further GIA objectives.

 

After 18 years with the De Beers Group, Louise Prior, head of Communications and Sightholder Services for the DTC, announced she was leaving the company at the year’s end. Prior, who began working for De Beers as an assistant sales manager in the company’s polished division before becoming a Key Account Manager at the DTC, has decided not to move with De Beers to Botswana in 2013.

 

Matthew A. Runci, president and CEO of Jewelers of America (JA), will retire from his position as of December 31. Runci joined JA as president and CEO in 1995. He had previously served as CEO of Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America, where he held several positions over a 16-year period. Prior to that, he taught international politics, law and foreign policy at the university level. He will be replaced by David Bonaparte, senior vice president of JCK Brands. Runci is being succeeded in his role as the chair of the Responsible Jewellery Council by James Courage, chief executive officer of Platinum Guild International.

 

Vipul Shah, CEO of Asian Star Co. was elected chairman of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). Jewelry manufacturer and exporter Pankaj Parekh from Kolkata was elected vice chairman. The two took over responsibilities from the outgoing chairman Rajiv Jain and vice chairman Sanjay Kothari with immediate effect. They will hold office for the next two years.

 

The International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) elected Maxim Shkadov, chairman of the Russian Diamond Manufacturers Association as its new president. He replaced Moti Ganz, who completed two terms in office. Shkadov currently serves as the president of the Smolensk Diamonds Association that unites diamond processing companies in the Smolensk region. He was elected Chairman of the Russian Diamond Manufacturers Association in 2005.

 

Kim Truter was appointed managing director of the Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia. Truter, an experienced mining executive, previously held a number of senior roles within Rio Tinto, most recently as president and COO of the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada.