Gem Hunter (Gary W. Bowersox) Biography

Gary W. Bowersox
PO Box 89646
Honolulu, HI 96830
www.gems-afghan.com
MrGary77@aol.com

Employment:
President and Chairman - Geovision, Inc./Gem Industries, Inc. 1974 - date
President and Chief Executive Officer -United Pacific Corp. 1971-1974
President -Bowersox, Dohrman & Co. 1969-1971
Chief of Operations - US Army Audit Agency-Pacific 1967-1969

Consultant:
US Department of Defense September 2001-2004 (periodic, unofficial and nonpaying)
Government of Afghanistan 1996-1997

Education:
Gemological Institute of America 1973-1996
Graduate School MBA Program - University of Hawaii 1967-1970
US Army Finance School - 1964 -1965
Graduate School MBA Program - Western Michigan University 1962-1963
Western Michigan University- BBA degree 1958-1962

Civic:
Fellow - Royal Geographic Society
Fellow - The Explorer's Club
Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association
Army Finance Officer Association
Western Michigan University Alumni Association

Accomplishments:
33 years of exploration and research of gems and minerals  in Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Completed, as presenter/consultant, a 50 minute TV documentary "The Gem Hunter in Afghanistan 2001"
Chaired eight symposiums on "Gems and Minerals of the Hindu Kush and Central Asia."
Traveled to over 86 countries and worked with gem miners in Afghanistan, Brazil, Burma, Madagascar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Served as a US Army Major in Viet Nam

Publications:

• The Gem Hunter - True Adventures of an American in Afghanistan (published April 2004) 505pp.
  
• "Rubies and Sapphires of Jegdalek, Afghanistan" Gems and Gemology (summer 2000)
  
• Gemstones of Afghanistan Geoscience Press, Tucson 240pp.
  
• "Emeralds of Panjsher Valley, Afghanistan" Gems and Gemology (Spring 1991)
  
• "The Gujar Killi Emerald Deposit, Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan" Gems and Gemology (Winter 1989)
  
• "A Status Report on Gemstones from Afghanistan" Gems and Gemology (Winter 1985)

Speeches and Lectures:
Over 1,000 speeches and lectures to such groups as The Explorer's Club, Gemological Institute of America, The Smithsonian Institute of Natural History, Museums, Mining Engineers Association, Rotary Clubs, Gem and Mineral Groups, Middle East Institute, Universities, etc.

Appearances:

• Appeared on "Good Morning America-NYC," "CNN-Washington,DC," and over 500 television and radio programs.
• Told a "Gem Hunter Story" on stage at the Players Club in New York City. This was a Moth production (2002)

Honors:
Who's Who in the Jewelry Business - 1980
Selected to be listed in Outstanding Young Men of America - 1969