COMINGS AND GOINGS

>>?On Oct. 16, Ernest Blom was elected president of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses at the 24th World Diamond Congress in Mumbai. He succeeds Avi Paz.

>>?The Gemological Institute of America named Mark Nechita vice president of global human resources.

>>?Moti Ganz was unanimously re-elected chairman of the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies. Ganz also serves as president of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association.

>>?The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India has elected Vipul P. Shah as its chairman and Pankaj Parekh as its vice chairman.

Carol Sanders

>>?Jewelers Mutual Insurance promoted Carol Sanders to executive vice president and chief operating officer.

James Courage

>>?The Responsible Jewellery Council has appointed James Courage to succeed Matthew A. Runci as chairman. Courage also serves as the CEO of Platinum Guild International.

>>?Jewelers for Children has elected 10 new directors to its board: Scott Berger, Pandora North America; Dave Bonaparte, Jewelers of ­America; Alan Chinich, Movado Group; David Cochran, Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America; Jeff Corey, Day’s Jewelers; Vicki Cunningham, Cunningham Fine Jewelers; Jerry Ehrenwald, International Gemological Institute; Eddie LeVian, Le Vian; Scott McQuaid, In House Jewelers; Yancy Weinrich, JCK Events. 

REMEMBERED

>>?Louis Fortunoff, a former executive vice president of his family’s retail chain, died of cancer Oct. 20 at age 47. He also served as a board member of the New York State Jewelers Association.

>>?Renowned colored gemstone dealer and jewelry manufacturer Richard Krementz Jr. died of cancer Nov. 21 at age 86. He was the owner of Richard Krementz Gemstones.

ASSOCIATIONS

>>?Former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike ­Huckabee headlines the American Gem Society’s conclave at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix April 24–27. Other speakers include Jim Stengel, ex–global ­marketing officer of Procter & ­Gamble, and best-selling author Sally Hogshead ­(Fascinate!). JCK senior editor Rob Bates will emcee the event.

HONORED

>>?On Jan. 11, the Jewelry Information Center will hand out its annual GEM Awards at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. Award winners include Town & Country style director ­Stellene ­Volandes (journalistic excellence), Ippolita Rostango (design), and ­Matthew A. Runci, outgoing president and CEO of Jewelers of America (lifetime achievement).

OPENINGS

The 1,400-square-foot Vegas outpost boasts more than 400 Breitling timepieces.

>>?Watchmaker Breitling opened its first West Coast store at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.