WGI Site - Executive Team

Executive Team

Moti Ganz - Chairman of the Board of WGI

Moti Ganz, Chairman of the Board of WGI, is Chairman of the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies, as well as President of the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association (IsDMA). Moti Ganz is also President of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) and a member of the Presidium of the Federation of Israeli Economic Organizations.

A second-generation diamantaire, Mr. Ganz is owner of MOTIGANZ DIAMOND GROUP, one of the leading diamond exporters in Israel today, and a DTC sightholder. Headquartered in Ramat Gan, Israel the Group has offices in the U.S., Hong Kong and Japan, as well as diamond manufacturing plants in Israel, China, India and Botswana. The Group also owns an international chain of jewelry stores, and employs several thousands of workers around the globe.

Moti Ganz has been active in public life in the diamond industry since 1989, and has served in many capacities within the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies and IsDMA. As a diamond manufacturer, exporter and retailer, Moti Ganz has been an important proponent of strengthening Ramat Gan as a global diamond trading center.

Thomas E. Tashey Jr., G.G., F.G.A. – Chief Gemological Officer

Tom Tashey is an internationally renowned expert in the field of Gemology.
Prior to his role at WGI, Tashey was CEO of Professional Gem Sciences, Inc.
which he founded with his wife.

A fellow of the Gemological Association of Great Britain, Tashey is
a Graduated Gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
Following years of professional and management roles at the GIA’s Gem Laboratory, Tashey
started up and directed numerous gemological ventures, such as the Los Angeles Office
of the European Gemological Laboratory and the Chicago branch office of the Gem Quality
Institute, Inc. (GQI). In 1994, Tashey published The World of Color, a book used to describe the
color of a gemstone, based on the Munsell color-order system.

Eli Avidar – Chief Executive Officer

Eli Avidar has enjoyed a rich career in Israel’s Foreign Service and
government. He represented Israel as Consul-General for Hong Kong
and Macau from 2001 to 2005. Prior to that, from 1999 – 2001,
he served as the Head of Israel's Trade Representation Office
in Doha, Qatar. From 1993 – 1996, Avidar was Israel’s Deputy
Consul-General in Philadelphia.

In addition, Avidar has held several senior positions in the Foreign Ministry's Head Office in Jerusalem.
In 1999 he was appointed Senior Diplomatic Advisor to the Foreign Minister at the time, Ariel Sharon,
and in 1998 he served as Diplomatic Advisor to the Director-General of the Foreign Ministry.
From 1996 – 1997, Avidar was appointed liaison with Islamic leaders around the world.

In January 2007, Eli Avidar was appointed the Managing Director of the Israel
Diamond Institute Group (IDI).

IDI is a public interest non-profit company, incorporating all of the organizations and
institutions of the Israeli Diamond Industry. The Institute is responsible for the branding,
marketing and business promotion of the Israeli Diamond Industry and In addition acts
to promote new sources of Rough Diamonds, professional training, publishing and
security consultancy.

Amos Appelberg – Chief Operating Officer
Amos Appelberg joined WGI as COO from the private business
sector where he diversified his business to include marketing and
distribution of products other than diamonds. During the past 12 years,
he has been an active participant in forging business ties between
China and Israel, and has received several honors in recognition of
his role in developing markets between the two countries including
honorary citizenship by the city of ZIngou, Lioning Province, China.

A second generation diamantaire, Appelberg has been a member of the Israel Diamond
Exchange since 1972. During the 1980’s, he was an active participant in the public life of
the diamond community and was elected to 5 terms on the Board of Directors of the Israel
Diamond Exchange, 4 of which he served as chairman of the Judicial Committee. He served
one term on the Board of Directors of the WFDB - World Federation of Diamond Bourses - as
Deputy Treasurer. During this term, he was responsible for initiating a judicial committee for
the WFDB and was elected as the first vice-chairman of this committee.

Appelberg honed his skills in diamonds from sitting at the wheel sawing, cutting, and polishing
diamonds, from sorting and buying polished diamonds for the Zales buying office in Ramat Gan
in the 1980’s, and from being one of the first manufacturers of small fancy shape diamonds offering
the service of calibrated sizes to jewelers, jewelry designers, and watchmakers throughout Europe,
the USA, Japan, and the Far East.

He brings to WGI an extensive knowledge in diamonds, marketing, and management skills
to coordinate all facets of the certification process.