Pritesh Patel named Gemological Institute’s president and CEO

Indian American executive Pritesh Patel is set to become Gemological Institute of America’s  (GIA) President and Chief Executive Officer. Currently GIA’s Chief Operating Officer, he will take over from retiring Susan M. Jacques on August 4.

“Pritesh’s outstanding experience, character and understanding of the industry and the Institute are exceptionally well-suited to build upon GIA’s nearly 100 years of service to the industry and consumers, leading GIA to even greater successes,” said Lisa A. Locklear, Chair of the GIA Board of Governors announcing Patel’s elevation.

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“I am delighted that the Board of Governors has selected Pritesh as my successor and the next leader of this amazing organization,”  said Jacques. “I, along with our GIA colleagues, will do everything we can to ensure his success. I am confident that GIA’s best days are ahead.”

“It is the honor of a lifetime to lead an institution as trusted and iconic as GIA,” said Patel. “Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most dedicated and talented individuals in the industry—people who live our mission every day. I’m inspired by GIA’s legacy of excellence and integrity, and I’m committed to building on that foundation with humility, purpose and a bold vision for the future.”

Patel was named GIA Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2017 after joining GIA in 2015 as Chief Information Officer. As COO, he was responsible for operational strategy, planning, developing and implementing innovative solutions.

Prior to joining GIA, Patel served as Vice President of Information Technology at CIRCOR International Inc., a global manufacturer of highly engineered products in the energy, aerospace, industrial, defense and power generation markets. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.

Before joining GIA, Patel held leadership positions in global IT and operations, including as Vice President of Information Technology at CIRCOR International Inc., and senior roles at Boeing, OK International, and Bearing Inspection Inc.

GIA recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology,  invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight and, in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System which is recognized around the world as the standard for diamond quality, according to a GIA news release.