Associations

Frank Maher has been appointed membership development account executive for Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America. He will be responsible for member recruitment and the development of member benefit programs.

Maher previously was director of the education foundation and director of membership for the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association, the Rhode Island affiliate of the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel/Motel Association.

Jewelers of America and the Jewelers Charity Fund for Children (JCF) have launched a joint charitable campaign. The effort will support JCF, the jewelry industry?s tax-exempt, nonprofit organization that raises money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and St. Jude Children?s Hospital.

JA members participating in the campaign are displaying donation canisters in their stores. The jewelry store with the largest donation in each of five regions will receive free accommodations at JCF?s annual fund-raising dinner and gala. Donation dollars raised by retailers can be used to offset the $500 contribution required to attend the JCF ?Facets of Hope? dinner in Las Vegas on June 4.

Funds raised in 1999 are being presented to local Make-a-Wish chapters by JA?s 42 state and regional affiliates through the Make-a-Wish Foundation?s ?A-Wish-a-State? program, which is granting the wishes of 50 children with life-threatening illnesses in 50 states.

The California Jewelers Association has moved its headquarters to a new location in the heart of the downtown Los Angeles business center. The new offices are located in the recently refurbished Roosevelt Building at 727 W. Seventh St., Suite 918, Los Angeles, CA 90017. The telephone and fax numbers remain the same: phone (213) 623-5722, fax (213) 623-6742.

Richard Horne, president of Shreve & Co., Los Angeles, has been re-elected CJA president. All other officers have also been re-elected. They are: Marion Halfacre, Traditional Jewelers, Newport Beach, president-elect; Peter Hess, Snyder & Snyder Jewelers, San Juan Capistrano, first vice president; Keith Norris, K. Norris Jewelers, Riverside, second vice president; and Allen Kessler, Kessler Jewelers, Burbank, treasurer.

James Marker has joined the American Gem Trade Association as communications manager. Prior to joining AGTA, he was manager of online education and services at the Gemological Institute of America. He designed and built GIA Online, the institute?s education and information system.

Previously, he held a variety of positions in the jewelry industry, including casting house mold maker, retail jewelry manager, GIA distance education instructor, and traveling lecturer.

At AGTA, he will direct the Spectrum Award design competition, the Cutting Edge competition, and special projects, such as a revamping of the association?s Web site.