Douglas K. Hucker, who headed the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) for 24 years, has been appointed CEO of another leading gemstone group: the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA).

He will replace former JCK editor Gary Roskin, who has led the association since 2015.

Hucker left the AGTA in March. In his new job, Hucker plans to expand ICA’s trade show presence and general outreach and attract new members.

He also plans to “take a look at the member benefits and make sure the organization is relevant to our members.”

He’s looking to expand ICA’s Gems Keep Giving program, which aids artisanal mining communities, and recently helped build a water purification plant in Kenya. He also wants to help develop trackable and sustainable supply chains for gemstones.

“One nice thing about ICA is we have boots on the ground,” he says.

Hucker says he’s long been a fan and a member of the ICA and often worked with the group at his old job.

“The boards include a lot of the people that I worked with at AGTA,” he says “A significant portion of ICA is AGTA members. We have always worked closely together. There’s a shared commitment to ethics, proper disclosure.”

But he notes that ICA is more of an “international community” and a “much more diverse group” than his old one.

Hucker has also served on the boards of the American Gem Society; the Jewelers Vigilance Committee; and CIBJO, World Jewellery Confederation.

In a statement, ICA president Clement Sabbagh said, “We salute Gary on his departure and sincerely express our gratitude for the exemplary job he has done in his leadership role with our association. We are very excited to have an individual as talented and committed as Douglas Hucker, who has a long and proven record of association management excellence, join our team.”

Founded in 1984, ICA has members from 47 countries.

Photo courtesy of the American Gem Trade Association

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