JMO/Gold Horizons announces the appointment of Robert Manse as vice president of merchandising. Manse served four years as director of advertising for Gold & Diamond Merchants Group (GDM) and three and a half years as director of sales and marketing for Royal Chain in New York.
Susan Fortgang has been named president of The Royal Asscher Diamond Company responsible for marketing, sales, and operations.
Franz Brunner has joined the Colibri Group as vice president, Time Division. He was formerly with Jules Juergensen.
Multi-channel retailer Ross-Simons has appointed fashion marketing veteran Cynthia C. Marshall to the position of vice president of marketing. Previously, Marshall served as vice president of marketing for eZiba, where she was responsible for creating an integrated multimedia marketing effort and launching the online retailer’s catalog.
Color Craft has appointed William Jobbins as general manager. An industry veteran with 35 years of experience at all levels, he was most recently president of the Jewelry division of the Colibri Group, Providence, R.I.
The Golay Group has appointed pearl journalist Brigitte Sheung to the newly created position of public relations and communication at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. Her main responsibilities will include the new Golay Pearls Magazine, launched in October 2001; the development of a pearl training program for jewelers; and maintaining close communication with the trade press regarding developments at Golay in Europe, Asia, and the United States.
Marc Solomon was recently electedpresidentofthe New York State Jewelers Association (NYSJA). Solomon, of the family-owned firm Solomons Fine Jewelry, Plainview, N.Y., and Albertson, N.Y., holds an associate’s degree from the University of Hartford and a BBA from Hofstra University and is pursuing a Graduate Gemologist degree from GIA.
Deborah Tauber, formerly an account supervisor with the Diamond Promotion Service, has accepted the position of account director, advertising sales for jewelry, watches, art, and antiques with the New York Observer weekly newspaper.
Carolyn Holdsworth has been named senior vice president of The Licensing Company (TLC) North America, joining the TLC team in its New York office. Holdsworth was previously director of marketing and licensing for Hearst Magazines in the United States.
Becka Johnson, G.G., C.G., has been elected to the board of directors of the Nebraska/South Dakota Jewelers Association. Johnson is the training manager for Borsheim’s, Omaha, Neb., where she provides training activities for close to 400 employees. She will serve a three-year term on the board.
Bart “Terry” D’Elia III has joined Imperial-Deltah as a member of the management team. He will be headquartered in the company’s New York City office. D’Elia has served as president of the 24 Karat Club of New York, president of the Cultured Pearl Association of America, and board director of the Jewelers Board of Trade, as well as in other industry positions.
L.A. Mart and Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI) has appointed Jeff Sampson to a new marketing director position within the home furnishings division. In other company news, Frank Joens has been named director of marketing, gifts; Gennifer Mallard is the new director of leasing for L.A. Mart; and Veronica Hamlett will serve as director of leasing for special projects.
Amy Wenslow, a designer and goldsmith with 18 years’ experience in jewelry manufacture, product development, and business management, has been named West Coast regional manager for Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA). Wenslow will be responsible for developing membership and coordinating member services, overseeing MJSA’s Los Angeles manufacturing network, directing operations of the West Coast office, and serving as liaison to the Los Angeles Safety Task Force.
Aurafin OroAmerica has named Philip Edelstein to be sales manager and director of it’s newly reopened New York City showroom. He brings more than 15 years of sales managerial experience to Aurafin following similar positions at Lieberfarb Inc. and Inverness Inc., both in New Jersey. In his new position at Aurafin OroAmerica, Edelstein will be responsible for sales of the company’s closeout merchandise as well as sales of gold chain and gold jewelry to manufacturers and wholesalers.Wolf Designs, a Malibu, Calif., designer-manufacturer of personal accessories and fine giftware, has expanded its national sales force. The Art of Living, an award-winning team of sales professionals, represents Wolf Designs in Southern California effective Dec. 15, 2001. Principal Shawn Elmore and his associates, Madeline Donlou, Judy Grossman, Pamela Walton, and Dolly Toler have more than 40 years combined experience in their respective West Coast territories. Elmore and Donlou are both previous Dallas ARTS Finalists for West Coast Sales Representative of the Year.
The Rosen Group has announced two appointments. Hope Daniels , editor of AmericanStyle and NICHE magazines, has been named vice-president. Daniels will maintain her position as editor in addition to her new responsibilities as vice-president. Daniels became the editor of AmericanStyle and NICHE magazines in 1995. Merle Honey Porter , new media director at The Rosen Group, has been appointed advertising director for NICHE and AmericanStyle magazines. Porter will maintain her position as new media director in addition to her new responsibilities as advertising director. The company also has hired Brigid Campbell as its new glass and ceramics representative for the BMAC.
Diamond Dimensions (H.K.) Ltd., announces the following management changes: Barbara Lunger joins Diamond Dimensions as its new president. Prior to joining Diamond Dimensions, she worked at Andin, Star Diamond Group, and I. Kurgan & Co. John Dimodica joins Diamond Dimensions as its new executive vice president. He served as vice president of sales for I. Kurgan/Andin International and was formerly with Town & Country and Lustre Diamonds. Ken Kanter is vice president of sales and marketing. Prior to joining Diamond Dimensions, Kanter served as vice president of sales/marketing for Feature Ring Co.Kimberly Adams Russell has been named president and chief operating officer of Frank H. Adams Jewelers Inc. in Albany, N.Y. Russell is the third generation of her family to oversee the day-to-day operation of the business established by her grandfather, Frank. Her father, David Adams, serves as CEO of the company, which this year celebrates its 80th anniversary.
Helzberg Diamonds recently made two additions to its executive committee. Butch Jagoda has been promoted to vice president, information technology, and Mitch Maggart is the new vice president of store operations. A subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Helzberg Diamonds is a 234-store national jewelry retailer based in North Kansas City, Mo.
Frank Figlia Jr. has been appointed director of sales for Eberhard LLC, the newest brand acquired by the growing Rabco Luxury Holding LLC group. In other company news, Louise Heflich Wallace has been named regional sales manager for the Sector and Glycine brands in the southeastern United States, and Chris Watt is the new regional sales manager for Sector in the Midwest.
Sterling Jewelers Inc. recently announced the following management promotions: Mark Light, president and COO; William Montalto Sr., chief administrative officer; Ed Hrabak, senior vice president/general merchandise manager; Terry Klein, senior vice president, finance; George Murray, senior vice president, marketing and advertising; and Steve Venezia, senior vice president, MIS and distribution.
Kim Pelletier has joined Polygon as vice president, sales and marketing. She was previously a regional director with the Diamond Promotion Service, and served as marketing director for Gordon Brothers Corp. in Boston. Polygon is the primary business-to-business online marketplace for the diamond and jewelry industry.
Lisa Cohen has been named senior account executive for the fashion division of Goldstein Communications, a public relations and marketing firm specializing in luxury products, mainly fine jewelry and fashion.
The Nu-Era Group, an aggregator of merchandising products and retail service benefits, has appointed Jim Minard to the newly created position of vice president of sales and marketing.
Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. has promoted three executives to new leaderships positions. Effective Jan. 1, 2002, Darin Kath, CPCU, assumed the role of chief operating officer; James Prosser, J.D., became chief administrative officer; and James Jordan became head of the company’s newly formed agency as vice president and general manager. Ron Harder continues in his role as president and CEO.
Jon Omer has been named vice president of jeweler Harry Winston’s U.S. Timepiece Division. Omer most recently served as vice president and commercial director at Buccellati Gold Corp., and before that as director of wholesale distribution for Bvlgari.
Capri Jewelers has hired Ray Bigam as president of sales and operations for its four Richmond, Va.-area locations. Capri also plans to open two additional stores in the area.
Piaget has appointed Susan Garvey director of public relations for the Piaget and Panerai brands. Garvey will handle public relations and special events for the two brands in United States and Canada. In other company news, Susan Cox has been named West Coast sales director for the Piaget brand, and Scott Becker is the new West Coast sales director for Officine Panerai.
Lagos, the Philadelphia-based designer and manufacturer of handcrafted sterling silver and 18k gold jewelry, has hired Brush Kalish as executive vice president and general manager. Most recently, Kalish served as general manager of Children’s Worldwide Fashions, where he introduced and marketed licensed lines including Kenzo and Elle to the U.S. market.
Paul C. Watson has been named vice president and assistant general manager of the L.A. Mart. Watson is a 10-year veteran of the company.
The Women’s Jewelry Association has appointed Anna Martin of ABN AMRO Bank as the new president of the association. Martin, who has been a member of the WJA board for the past two years, is a senior vice president and regional manager, North America, Diamond, Jewelry and Precious Metals Group, at ABN AMRO in New York City. She succeeds Phyllis Bergman, president of Mercury Ring Corp., as president of this national volunteer organization representing the interests of professional women in the jewelry, watch, and related industries.