Carlsbad, Calif. —The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced the election of Dione D. Kenyon and Frederick N. Levinger to its board of governors. They will assume their duties at the next board meeting to be held Nov. 10-11.

Both hold prominent positions in the jewelry trade. Kenyon is president and chief executive officer of the Jewelers Board of Trade (JBT), and Levinger is CEO at Nobadeer Enterprises/Speidel.

In addition, four current GIA governors will be retiring in November as eligible membership terms expire. They are Nancy Brewer of Nancy B. and Co., George Rossman, Ph.D., of the California Institute of Technology, Lee Michael Berg of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry and Michael Kazanjian of Kazanjian Bros. Inc.

"We welcome Dione and Fred to our board, and we look forward to having the benefit of their experience and wisdom in the years to come," Helene Fortunoff, chair of the board, said in a statement. "We also express our sincere thanks to Nancy, George, Lee and Michael for their many valuable contributions to the fulfillment of the GIA mission."

Kenyon brings more than 30 years of experience in precious metals, credit administration and banking services within the jewelry industry to the GIA. She currently serves as a director of the Women's Jewelry Association, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee and the Boston Jewelers Club. She is a member of the 24 Karat Club of New York and the Providence Jewelers Club.

She graduated from Smith College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in government and holds an MBA from Providence College. She is involved with several educational organizations in the New England community.

Levinger has an extensive background working with large corporations, with emphasis on strategic planning, building brands with creative marketing and sales management, and crafting strong business and financial relationships. He has been owner and CEO of the Colibri Group for the past 30 years. In addition, he's served as director of Fleet National Bank for 15 years, as a member of the 24 Karat Club of New York and on the board of directors for The Plumb Club and the JBT, among other major civic contributions.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Yale University and received his MBA from Harvard Business School.

The remaining GIA governors are unchanged. These are Board Chairman Fortunoff; GIA President Donna M. Baker; Gordon E. Brown Jr., Ph.D., Kirby professor of earth sciences and professor and chairman of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory Faculty at Stanford University; William B. Cottingham, Ph.D., president emeritus of GMI Engineering and Management Institute; GIA Chairman Ralph Destino; Rodney C. Ewing, Ph.D., a Donald R. Peacor professor and chair of the department of geological sciences at the University of Michigan; and E N H International President and CEO Eli Haas.

Also staying on the board are Borsheim's President and CEO Susan M. Jacques, Kwiat, Roisen and Ferman Co-President Sheldon Kwiat, ABN AMRO Bank Senior Vice President Anna Martin, Rosy Blue CEO Dilip Mehta, Nafco Gems Ltd. President Roland Naftule, GIA Past President and Governor for Life Glenn R. Nord, Grand Pacific Resorts Inc. Co-President Timothy J. Stripe and Stuller Inc. Chairman and CEO Matthew G. Stuller.