GIA Names Tearle as New CFO

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Sept. 16, 2009 – The Gemological Institute of America has officially named David J. Tearle as its new Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Tearle replaces Bob Buscher, who recently announced plans to leave the Institute after 13 years to return to the for-profit business arena. 

Donna Baker, GIA’s President and CEO, said, “We’re very pleased to announce that David Tearle will be joining the GIA team as CFO. We’re looking forward to reaping the benefits of David’s many diverse accomplishments and experiences. His international perspective and business acumen will be valuable assets to the Institute and its worldwide public benefit mission.”

Tearle’s first official day at GIA was Sept. 14. 

Tearle comes to the Institute with significant international business experience. His career spans more than 15 years in senior financial management for multinational companies, following 12 years of public accounting with one of the world’s top four accounting firms.

His specific areas of global expertise include business and manufacturing operations, business development, international reporting, and financial control and planning. 

Prior to joining GIA, Tearle co-founded a privately held international pharmaceutical company where he served as CFO.  In this role he had significant involvement in business development. 

Tearle worked with Valeant Pharmaceuticals from 2003-2007 as Vice President Operations Finance, CFO – Global Manufacturing and Supply. He worked on the reorganization of its manufacturing network, the sale of manufacturing sites, had financial responsibility for all global manufacturing and supply, and directed financial control for 15 manufacturing sites in 12 different countries. From 1994 through 2003 he was Vice President Finance, CFO – Europe for ICN Pharmaceuticals. 

Tearle served in a variety of high-level financial positions working with multinational corporations in the pharmaceutical industry from 1994-2009. He held increasingly significant spans of responsibility in business and finance and continually expanded his oversight of international locations. 

Originally from the United Kingdom, Tearle earned his bachelor’s degree in commerce with honors from Birmingham University in the U.K. Tearle is a UK Chartered Accountant, qualifying with Touche Ross, now part of Deloitte. He lives in Laguna Niguel, California.