The American Gem Society™ has appointed Margaret De Young as its Deputy Executive Director, effective February 28, 2008. She will be responsible for AGS’s overall operations, including marketing and management of the annual membership meeting, Conclave. Ruth Batson, Executive Director and CEO of the American Gem Society welcomed the new AGS team member saying, “Margaret’s leadership skills and depth of industry experience will be tremendous assets to the Society as we continue to add valuable member benefits and influence consumer purchasing decisions.”

De Young hold s a professional portfolio as Senior Manager, Sales and Customer Relations of the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, being involved with marketing and sales initiatives for Ernest Slotar, a diamond wholesaler in Chicago amongst working with other prominent jewellers in Chicago. De Young is a Graduate Gemologist, holds a Master of Business Administration with a specialisation in Marketing from De Paul University and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.