The American Watch Association (AWA) has elected Ronald F. Luino to a two-year term as its new chairman of the board. Luino is executive vice president and chief financial officer of Seiko Corp. of America. The election was held during AWA’s annual meeting on Sept. 30.

The other officers for the 2003-2004 fiscal year are: Paul Woods (Gucci), first vice president; Walter Fischer (Rolex), second vice president; Stacie Orloff (Corum), treasurer; and Efraim Grinberg (Movado), secretary.

While looking fop reward to “continuing the Association’s active program in Washington on behalf of the watch industry,” Luino also noted that AWA “needs to expand our member services in such areas as public relations, educational seminars, and the Internet.” AWA is developing an online program focused on issues of concern to watch companies such as watchmaker education, trends in Customs import policies, compliance with state mercury laws, and endangered-species import procedures.

Luino also said AWA will develop “a database-supported Web site that will enable our members to interact with legislative and industry databanks to obtain information quickly.”

AWA is an association of more than 50 companies in the United States engaged in the importation, manufacture, and assembly of watches, watch movements, and watch products sold here and in markets worldwide. Most of the principal U.S. watch companies are members of AWA.

JCK