GIA Announces New Governor, Bids Farewell to Outgoing Members

GIA Announces New Governor, Bids Farewell to Outgoing Members

Institute recognizes three outgoing members, welcomes finance executive Lisa Locklear

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Nov. 13, 2012 – The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Board of Governors welcomed Lisa Locklear as its newest member during the Institute’s November board meeting in Carlsbad, and said a fond goodbye to retiring governors Fred Levinger, Roland Naftule and Steve Relyea.

Locklear is senior vice president and chief financial officer of Ingram Micro, Americas. She is responsible for leading the finance organization and supporting business operations, including credit, accounting, reporting, planning and strategy for its $18 billion North America and Latin America regions.

Her career in finance spans more than 28 years, including public accounting with Price Waterhouse (now PwC) in Orange County, CA, and financial reporting, planning and operational finance and analysis with The Walt Disney Company’s consumer products and theme parks divisions. Locklear’s experience at Price Waterhouse and Disney includes two overseas assignments, in Paris and London, totaling more than eight years.

“We are fortunate to have Lisa join the GIA Board of Governors,” said Susan Jacques, GIA board chairperson and president and CEO of Borsheims Fine Jewelry and Gifts.  “She is a wonderful addition to our diverse board of global leaders and her expertise in finance is a perfect fit as GIA builds for a global future on the firm foundation of its 81-year history.  We look forward to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry around the world.”

Locklear is an active participant in Finance Executives International, the Dean’s Leadership Circle at the University of California, Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business and other local organizations. She was recognized as one of five recipients of the Orange County Business Journal Women in Business award in 2010 and was awarded the University of California at Irvine’s Distinguished Alumna Award in May 2009.

Locklear is a CPA and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis and her master’s in business administration from the University of California, Irvine.

Outgoing board members Levinger, Naftule and Relyea retired from the board after serving for a combined 20 years.  Veterans of the gem and jewelry business, Levinger and Naftule provided expertise in finance, the wholesale trade, and colored gemstones while Relyea brought a wealth of experience in education to the board. 

“The contribution of these three governors is beyond measure,” Jacques said.  “We are so grateful for their support for GIA’s mission and valuable contributions to the growth and global expansion of the Institute.”

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu.