Stephen Lussier, Jim Pounds, and Jean-Marc Lieberherr will head up leadership for the newly formed organization

Stephen Lussier, Jim Pounds, and Jean-Marc Lieberherr have been appointed to senior positions at the Diamond Producers Association (DPA).

Lussier, the executive vice president of marketing for the De Beers Group of Companies and the chief executive officer of Forevermark, has been named chairman.

Pounds, the executive vice president, diamonds, at Dominion Diamond Corp., has been named vice chairman.

Lieberherr, the former managing director of Rio Tinto’s diamond business, has been named chief executive officer.

Lieberherr and Lussier’s positions were first announced in October 2015, along with the appointment of Sally Morrison as managing director of marketing.

“I look forward to working together with Jim, Jean-Marc, and Sally Morrison and all of the team to ensure that the diamond dream grows ever stronger,” said Lussier in a statement.

“I am looking forward to working with diamond producers and all other industry stakeholders to build an even stronger, more resilient diamond sector,” said Lieberherr. “It is key to the prosperity and livelihood of millions of families the world over and as such it is an exciting and rewarding endeavor.” 

The DPA was created by diamond mining companies to increase demand for and consumer confidence in diamonds. It was first announced in May 2015 with founding members Alrosa, De Beers, Rio Tinto, Dominion Diamond Corp., Lucara Diamond Corp., Petra Diamonds Ltd., and Gem Diamonds Ltd.

JCK