Head of Asian Gem Institute Steps Down

RAPAPORT… Barbara Wheat will leave her position as president of the
Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS), the institute’s owner, the Ho
Group, said Tuesday.

Wheat (pictured) will relocate from Thailand to the US to become vice
president of international relations and business development for the Ho Group.
Before joining AIGS, she was executive vice president of the Natural Color
Diamond Association (NCDIA).

“We’re very sorry to see Barbara leave Bangkok, but are
pleased that she will still be working with our group of companies in a key
strategic role to develop international business opportunities,” said Henry Ho,
founder and chairman emeritus of AIGS.

In her new position, Wheat will be
responsible for special projects — such as the Bangkok Diamond and Precious
Stones Exchange and the Ruby World Forum — raising the profile of the Ho
Group, and recruiting new clients.

“I’m delighted that I will be taking on a fresh position to
drive forward the international profile and business development of the Ho
family, their special projects and companies,” Wheat said.

The Ho Group has not yet appointed a new president of AIGS,
a company spokesperson told Rapaport News.