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AGTA appoints Griffin to new COO post

November 20, 2006

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Dallas—As it gets ready to launch an effort to grow its membership, the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has appointed Edwin Griffin Jr. as its first chief operating officer.

The appointment, announced by AGTA Chief Executive Officer Douglas Hucker, was effective Nov. 14, according to a press release issued on Sunday. Griffin will be responsible for managing the staff and the administration of the association's activities at its Dallas headquarters and will also be in charge of the AGTA's internationally recognized gem laboratory in New York. He will also spearhead the strategic development of marketing, brand development and promotion as the AGTA launches a major membership-recruitment initiative to bring in more professionals from the natural-colored-gemstone and cultured-pearl industries it serves.

"The AGTA is at a pivotal point in serving the members and entities affected by the dramatic increase in the sales of gemstones and cultured pearls as well as the changing dynamics of the gemstone trade," Hucker said in the release. "The appointment of Ed as an integral part of our executive management team marks a milestone in our history as we initiate a member-growth campaign and develop a broader array of services available to the industry.

"Ed's track record of success provides AGTA with additional strategic vision and a marketing repertoire that will assist us as we launch new goals and collaboratively work with other groups within our industry," Hucker continued.

In addition to participating in industry events, the AGTA owns and operates a major industry trade show that focuses on colored gemstones and cultured pearls and attracts more than 10,000 attendees each February. Both the membership and trade-show participants represent the full gamut of mining operations, gem artisans, distribution vendors and retail operations.

Griffin has a long history of success in the growth and development of public- and private-sector associations, the AGTA release says. He served as president/CEO of Meeting Professionals International for more than 12 years and was executive director of the Kentucky League of Cities for more than 11 years. He has also served as a consultant on marketing and branding in the hospitality industry as well as president and CEO of the Florida Lodging Association. He has a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a master's degree in public administration, and also holds a Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation.
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