AGS appoints Katherine Bodoh as CEO

The American Gem Society (AGS) has appointed Katherine Bodoh as their new CEO. Ms. Bodoh. She is to assume responsibilities on March 1, 2017 and will succeed the current CEO, Ruth Batson, who is retiring.

Ms. Bodoh is currently the Deputy Executive Director of the American Gem Society and previously served at Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company (JM) as their Director of Commercial Lines Marketing and Industry Relations. It was at JM that she began working in a strategic partnership role with the American Gem Society, and was very active as a liaison between the AGS Guilds and JM. It’s a role that continued after she joined the AGS.

Ms. Bodoh said, “I joined AGS because of its mission and its extraordinary members. I had the opportunity to learn from the incomparable Ruth Batson. I look forward to partnering with the Board of Directors and the wonderful team at AGS and AGS Laboratories. Together we will serve the next generation of industry professionals and keep AGS vibrant, relevant and indispensable.”

“Katherine is our ideal candidate,” said Scott Berg, CG, President of the AGS Board of Directors. “She has many of the qualities that have made Ruth a great CEO: they share a dedication and passion for the AGS mission of consumer protection, business ethics and ongoing education.”

Louis Smith, CG, former President of the AGS Board of Directors, headed up the CEO Search Committee. “it was clear that with Katherine’s experience in the industry, and, particularly, at AGS, makes her the perfect choice to carry on Ruth’s legacy of excellence.”

“I couldn’t be prouder of the Board’s choice for the next era of leadership at the American Gem Society,” said Ms. Batson, who will stay on with the AGS through the end of May, and will work side-by-side with Ms. Bodoh to assist in the transition.

Ms. Bodoh began her career in the industry working at the Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA) in Providence, RI and has also served on the Women’s Jewelry Association Scholarship Fund Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Jewelers Association, the JFC Fundraising Committee, and the Event Committee. She is currently involved in the Jewelers Leadership Forum and the US Jewelry Council, and she’s an active member of ASAE (American Society of Association Executives).