Leon Cohen of New York’s Codiam & Rand was recently elected president of the Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association of America (DMIA). Cohen, 34, is unusually young for an industry association head. The South African native vowed to focus on new labs coming into the industry, reducing industry overhead, and improving communication between the rough and polished markets. His brother Sean is president of DMIA’s parent group, the International Diamond Manufacturers Association.

Cohen succeeds Jeffrey Fischer of Fischer Diamonds. Fischer was credited with raising the organization’s profile, putting the “laser drilling” issue to rest, and for his tireless work on the issue of conflict diamonds. Fischer retains an active role in the World Diamond Council.

“Jeff is one of the premier statesmen in not just the American diamond industry but the world industry,” Cohen said. “He has laid down a very good road map, and I want to continue what he did and build on the foundations that he created.”