About Gary
PROFILE
Gary has extensive experience founding, investing and managing emerging growth companies. From starting a gemological laboratory and high end gem sales firm that was rated one of the best in the country. To raising venture capital and starting companies from concept to ongoing enterprises and founding a Silicon Valley incubator venture capital firm helping other entrepreneurs develop their companies.
EXPERIENCE
G. Almond, Ltd.
G. Almond, Ltd. a gemological laboratory and appraisal firm.
Four Corners Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Suzuki & Polaris - Co-owner
Dealer Operator of Four Corners Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Suzuki and Polaris. A 33,000 sq foot retail recreational dealership, he managed major unit sales, clothing, parts, service and finance depts. Sold to Fun Center Mar 2022.
Mediaflex- Co-founder and Vice president of operations
MediaFlex a Silicon Valley company provided web-based software solutions for marketing communications managers at Fortune 1000 companies.
Gary led the development team for enterprise software deployment of over 200 custom e-commerce/Brand Marketing installations for companies such as Coca Cola, MCI, Marvel, HP. In addition, he oversaw the company’s Professional Services Group
Concord Growth corporation Co-founder, executive vice president
Concord Growth Corporation/EXXE Data, a multi-state transaction based financial services firm, which was sold to Bay View Capital Corporation, (NYSE:BVC). He was responsible for software development, overseeing operations and information system technologies.
Nest Venture Partners
Almond also served as a General Partner of Nest Ventures, a Bay Area venture capital incubator that specialized in funding and incubation of very early stage companies.
Softlink Corporation Co-founder and vice president
SoftLink Corporation, a venture capital funded microcomputer software publishing and distribution company that used encryption technology to lower retail software stores and end user costs.
G. Almond, Ltd.- Bentley, Almond & Rutherford
He also founded G. Almond, Ltd. & co-founded Bentley, Almond and Rutherford specializing in gemological services and sales of investment grade gemstones which was independently rated as one of the top firms in the country by a trade publication. The San Francisco Chronicle called Mr. Almond “a veteran gemologist who has appraised the gems and precious stones of some of the Bay Area’s wealthiest families.”
Skills
Utilizing his expertise in startups. Gary has participated as a panelist/judge at the San Juan Business Development Center for events such as Discovery Day and Start-Up Weekend where entrepreneurs pitch their companies and concepts for the purpose of receiving guidance or investment opportunities.
Gary has worked in many phases of the gem and jewelry industry. From gem wholesale sales, jewelry manufacturing to multiple retail firms. He was the gemologist/appraiser for a large national jewelry store chain participating in auctions of multi-million dollar inventories.
He has been featured on numerous television and radio programs as an expert on gems promoting gemological education.
And is an instructor at San Juan College teaching gemology.
Education:
Phoenix College- Aeronautics
Arizona State University School of Engineering - Aeronautical Technology
Tulane University, A.B. Freeman School of Business - Master Certificate Business Administration & Advanced Management Strategy
Gemological Institute of America
Gemological Institute of America- Diplomas
Graduate Gemologist
Graduate Diamonds
Graduate Colored Stones
Graduate Pearls
Applied Jewelry Professional
Member of the GIA Alumni Association
Certifications & Licenses:
Commercial Pilot
Flight Instructor
American Gemological Laboratories, Analytics - Diamond and Colored Stone Grading
American Society of Appraisers- Past member
Teaching:
Gemology- Encore program San Juan College
Contact Information:
www.almond.com
email: gary@almond.com