Carlsbad, Calif., – March 21, 2008 –The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Alumni Association announced the recipients of its new international alumni awards at the Tucson trade show during the annual GIA Alumni dinner dance and auction.

The Alumni Association restructured its awards programs last year, and set up a system whereby it would honor one member and one chapter officer for their leadership, commitment to continuing education, ethics and professionalism on behalf of the entire Alumni Association worldwide.

Ivanne Farr, of the Virgin Islands-Caribbean chapter, received the 2007 Alumni International Leadership Award.  Nagayuki Chaya, of the Asia-Japan (AAJ) chapter, was awarded the 2007 International Achievement Award.

Upon receiving his award, Chaya said, “Interacting with my fellow alumni members and working with the AAJ has been very beneficial to me.  I have gained a huge amount of gemological information and accumulated so many friends in the jewelry industry.”

Farr responded, “I am very grateful for the trust and faith of my fellow alumni chapter members, who have probably raised eyebrows at times, but have also known the benefits and rewards of our events, activities and outreach programs. It has been a privilege for me to serve my chapter.”

Alumni chapters worldwide each choose one representative for the Leadership Award and one representative for the Achievement Award.  The two names from each chapter go to the Alumni Association, which then works with the Alumni Executive Council and key GIA staff members to select a single international winner in each category to be honored for their outstanding dedication and distinguished service to the GIA Alumni Association in 2007.

Leadership Award winners (Awarded to Chapter Officers): Each person listed below was elected by their local chapters and honored with the local Leadership Award, which made them eligible for consideration for the International Leadership Award.

-  Jeffrey L. Bosse, G.J.G., Ohio
-  Kwok Keung Eric Chu, G.G., Asia-Hong Kong
-  Ivanne Farr,  A.J.P., Virgin Islands-Caribbean
-  Ruth C. Fitzgerald, G.G., California-Orange County
-  Merle S. Koblenz, G.G., New York-Manhattan
-  John H. Lee, G.G., Pennsylvania-Delaware Valley
-  Suzanne Martinez, G.G., California-Golden Gate Northern
-  Yoshiro Takano, G.G., Asia-Japan (AAJ)
-  Pamela L. Welborn, G.G., Texas-Lone Star
-  Matt Winward, G.G., Utah

Achievement Award winners (Awarded to Chapter Members): Each person named here was honored by their local chapters with the local Achievement Award honor, which made them eligible for consideration for the International Achievement Award.

-  Jane E. Chaikowsky, G.G., Pennsylvania-Delaware Valley
-  Nagayuki Chaya, G.G., Asia-Japan (AAJ)
-  Jeanie Hord-Bellows, G.G., Texas-Lone Star
-  M. Adam Namerow, G.J.G., Ohio
-  Vera Parker, G.G., Virgin Islands-Caribbean
-  Michael J. Quinn, A.J.P., Utah
-  Barbra Voltaire, G.G., California-Golden Gate Northern
-  Michael C. Watson, Gemologist, California-Orange County
-  Susana Wilches, G.G., New York-Manhattan
-  Dominic T. Yim, G.G., Asia-Hong Kong