Youri Steverlynck tendered his resignation from the HRD on March 16,2006. Steverlynck was the organization’s director of marketing & public relations and a member of the tripartite management team. He had taken over HRD following the resignation of Peter Meeus as HRD managing director in January.%%“I am grateful for the opportunities that were given to me to develop new initiatives. It was a privilege to work with a team of highly professional people. We did great things together. After six years, I feel I have given the best of myself and the time has come to look for new challenges,” commented Steverlynck, upon his resignation. “With the restructuring plan of the Board of Directors being accepted and HRD having the opportunity to restart, the moment has come to do so.”%%Steverlynck, 33, joined HRD as its spokesman in early 2000, at the height of the conflict diamond crisis. As director of the marketing & public relations department, he was responsible for the development of the Antwerp Diamond Conferences, which hosted speakers such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton and South African President Thabo Mbeki; events that are considered hallmark events within the diamond industry.$$In 2004, Steverlynck, a lawyer by training, took on responsibility for the organizations public affairs unit, including the diamond office, corporate affairs and government relations. In early 2006, he was appointed a member of the tripartite management team to head HRD.