GIA (Gemological Institute of America), the leader in gemological research, education, and science-based gem identification and grading services, is expanding its business development team for North American and global brands to address the complexities and challenges of today’s market.

The new expanded team is taking GIA’s unrivaled education offerings and modern sales tools to assist retailers and brands in meeting the needs of their customers. Led by Richard Pesqueira, GIA vice president of business development for North America and brands, the team includes the recent addition of Directors of Business Development Matthew Morabito and Daniel VanDrew. 

“Our goal is to serve our valued clients in new and meaningful ways, supporting their success with the latest and most relevant GIA products and services. Matthew and Daniel bring a wealth of gems and jewelry industry retail experience and a client-centric mindset that will deepen our engagement with the marketplace,” said Pesqueira.

Before joining GIA in April, Morabito spent five years at Tiffany & Co., where his dynamic leadership and client expertise led him from sales training manager to senior director. Most recently, he was a senior director leading the Love and Engagement floor at Tiffany’s flagship store in New York City. Earlier in his career, he was a territory manager for Hearts on Fire and a senior manager of family-owned Michaels Jewelers in Connecticut. He has a bachelor of Fine Arts from Paier College of Art.

VanDrew has more than 27 years of experience in the watch and jewelry industry, including the past 18 as key account manager and director of national accounts at LVMH and TAG Heuer. With a proven history of strategy implementation, he is well versed in operations and meeting the needs of retailers from single-store independents to some of the largest multi-store operations in the world. He holds an MBA from University of Arizona, Eller Graduate School of Management and has earned bachelor degrees in business administration and communication.

With experienced and knowledgeable local market leadership and expertise, the GIA business development teams work with clients, retailers and others across the global jewelry markets.