John Carter, president of Jack Lewis Jewelers in Bloomington, Ill., has won the American Gem Society’s (AGS) highest honor, the Robert M. Shipley Award.

The award was announced and presented on April 16 during the Robert M. Shipley Luncheon at AGS’ annual Conclave, held this year in Austin, Texas.

Carter has served AGS in various capacities for over a decade. In 2012, he joined the group’s international board of directors. In 2013, he became chair of the Conclave subcommittee. In 2018, he was elected president of the AGS board. After serving in that role for two years, he became chair of the AGS gemological services committee.

“I am not speechless very often,” Carter said upon receiving the award. “I am totally unprepared for this moment.

“This award goes for somebody who has done service to the Society. And I kind of feel like a robber up here, because this has never felt like service to me. To me, it’s always felt like being with my friends, and learning from you, and taking so much from you that I bring back to my business.”

Katherine Bodoh, CEO of the American Gem Society, said in a statement: “John has had a tremendous positive impact on AGS. During his time as chair of the Conclave aubcommittee, Conclave underwent a transformation, adopting a format that remains in place today. As president of the AGS international board of directors, John championed the creation of the Beatrice Shipley Scholarship and traveled on behalf of AGS to promote its benefits to the industry. He remains a tireless volunteer and continues to do so much to enrich AGS and its community.”

(Photo courtesy of AGS)

 

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