(IDEX Online) - Ronnie VanderLinden has stepped down after eight years as president of the Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America (DMIA). In a farewell message he urges members - manufacturers, importers, and dealers - to embrace e-commerce.He writes: "The current focus of online business, an adjustment to the reality that has been pushed to the forefront for all of us, has brought significant changes in our way of doing business. "While the pandemic has been devastating, it has also compelled us to look beyond that which was and look forward to what can be. Every so often, we can identify a benefit and something good that has come through all of this.Mr VanderLinden (pictured) concludes: "If you have not already done so, have an online presence so that your business will not only be local but also be 'glocal'." The organization has yet to announce the appointment of a successor after Mr VanderLinden's four two-year terms at the helm.He took over from Ronny Friedman who served as DMIA president for nine years.