Ex-Tiffany Exec to Lead GIA Business Development

RAPAPORT… The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has hired Richard Pesqueira as vice president of business development for North America, tasking him with expanding the organization’s relationship with retailers.

Pesqueira was most recently global director of education for the Las Vegas market at Tiffany & Co., where he was responsible for all retail product training, the GIA said recently. He will succeed Anna Martin, the GIA’s senior vice president of business development and beneficiation, as she shifts her focus to long-term strategic projects at the institute.

“Richard’s talent and experience are a tremendous addition to GIA, helping us connect even more meaningfully with our industry stakeholders as we work every day to protect consumers and ensure their trust in gems and jewelry,” said GIA senior vice president and chief marketing officer Mark Buntz. “As GIA advances our work with retailers to address consumer demands for more information on the sustainability, traceability and positive impacts of the gems they buy, building out our team with Richard’s skills and insight is a major step forward.”

Pesqueira will be based at the GIA’s headquarters in Carlsbad, California, and will report to Buntz.

Image: Richard Pesqueira. (Gemological Institute of America)