AJC to honor Walter Fischer and Edward Gately

By JCK Online Staff -- JCK Online, 9/18/2003 2:00:00 AM

The American Jewish Committee will honor Walter Fischer of Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. and Edward J. Gately of Fleet Precious Metals at a gala event on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003. The industry leaders will be presented with AJC’s prestigious Jewelry Division Human Relations Award for their professional excellence and commitment to community service.

The event will take place at the Hilton New York beginning with a reception at 6:00 p.m. and dinner to follow. A Tribute Journal will be published.

Walter Fischer, President and CEO of Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. since 1998, has enjoyed a distinguished career in the international watch industry for more than four decades.

His extensive association with the watch industry began in his native Switzerland at Girard-Perregaux, in La Chaux-de-Fonds. After moving to London, he accepted a position as the Service Department Manager with the Swiss watch firm Jaeger-Le-Coultre. Walter moved to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1962 to join the retail organization of Little Switzerland, where he was ultimately promoted to president and CEO. In 1993, he joined Rolex Watch Company in Geneva, with responsibilities for overseeing marketing and sales in the Caribbean and Central America.

Among his numerous professional and civic associations, Walter sits on the boards of The Jewelers Security Alliance, the American Watch Association, and St. Christopher’s Inn, a man’s shelter.

Edward J. Gately, currently Executive Vice President of Fleet Precious Metals, Inc. has been with the firm since 1986.

Following his initial post as commercial field examiner, he went on to join its lending staff and was shortly thereafter named senior vice president and team leader. In the mid 1990’s he expanded his responsibilities to include Fleet’s industrial precious metal lending and the integration of the former National Westminster Bank Diamond and Jewelry Group post-acquisition. In late 1999, he was named senior lender and division manager, responsible for the company’s entire lending function.

Gately has written extensively and lectured widely on the precious metal industry. He is a board member for MJSA and is involved with numerous community organizations including the Rehoboth, Massachusetts Youth Board and other charities within the industry.

The American Jewish Committee was founded in 1906 and today has 33 chapters across America and 14 overseas posts. It works to build human bridges of mutual respect and understanding among diverse ethnic and religious groups; supports Israel’s right to exist in peace and security; fights the scourge of international terrorism, anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred and bigotry and defends democracy, religious freedom and human rights. Through innovative programs, education, research, and extensive diplomatic outreach and advocacy, AJC’s scope and impact are felt locally, nationally and on a global scale.

For more information on attending the dinner, placing an ad in the Tribute Journal or making a donation to the American Jewish Committee, please contact Susan Tanbenbaum of the AJC at (212) 891-1423.