ICA PRESS RELEASE

Barbara Lipatapanlop appointed ICA Executive Director

New York, March 16, 2005 – Barbara Lipatapanlop was appointed to serve as Executive Director of the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) as of March 1, 2005.

“By appointing Barbara to this position, we’re finally filling a position that has practically been open for two years,” said ICA president Joseph M. Menzie. “We’re very pleased to have her on board at ICA. She’s is well introduced to the international colored gemstone and jewelry business community and she undoubtedly will contribute much to propelling our organization and its goals forward.”

Barbara became involved in the gem and jewelry industry in 1993 when she was appointed as managing director of JewelSiam Magazine, a now defunct publication that was based in Bangkok, Thailand.

She then continued and as a deputy managing director for a Bangkok-based database publishing company. From 1999 until February this year, Barbara served as a senior advisor to the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association.

With more than 15 years experience in public relations, publishing, copywriting, and international relations, Barbara Lipatapanlop has participated in numerous trade fairs around the world. She is also an accredited gemologist having graduated from the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS) in Bangkok.

“I am exited to join the ICA and take part in the new projects and ventures that are slated. As an industry professional, I feel that I bring a wide range of experience to the ICA,’ she stated.

Barbara Lipatapanlop can be reached at ica@gemstone.org.
The International Colored Gemstone Association, headquartered in New York City and operating additional "GemBureaus" in Idar-Oberstein/ Germany, Bangkok/ Thailand and Dubai/ UAE, is the nonprofit trade association that represents the international colored gemstone industry, an extremely important and influential segment of the jewelry business. ICA has over 500 members in 46 countries worldwide.