The American Gem Society will honor the winner of the 2006 American Gem Society Lifetime Achievement Award, Matthew A. Stuller, as well as the Triple Zero Award honorees in the retail and industry categories, Thomas A. Andruskevich and Michael Bondanza, respectively at the AGS seventh annual Circle of Distinction award dinner on Tuesday in the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. Tickets are available; contact the American Gem Society at 702-255-6500.

Stuller receives the American Gem Society Lifetime Achievement Award for his impeccable service to the jewelry industry and the lasting contributions he has made to his community. Stuller serves as chairman and CEO of Stuller, Inc., North America’s largest jewelry manufacturer and distributor. Stuller, Inc., employs 2,000 people on three continents and has numerous subsidiary companies. In 1995, Inc. magazine tapped Stuller as “Entrepreneur of the Year” in the Wholesale/Distribution category. Stuller and his wife CeCe have three children and are both active in children’s advocacy organizations in Louisiana.

Andruskevich receives the American Gem Society Triple Zero Award in the retail category. In 1996, he joined Birks as its president and CEO, and six years later, when Birks acquired a controlling interest in Mayors Jewelers Inc., he then added chairman, president, and CEO of Mayors to his duties. The two companies completely merged in 2005, and Andruskevich was then appointed president & CEO and director of Birks & Mayors Inc. Andruskevich came to Birks from Mondi of America, where he was president and CEO, following a distinguished career at Tiffany & Co. His tenure at Tiffany spanned twelve years from 1982 to 1994, culminating with his appointment as Executive Vice-President, International & Trade in March 1992. Prior to Tiffany & Co., he held various management positions at Avon Products Inc.

Bondanza receives the American Gem Society Triple Zero Award in the industry category. As principal and founder of Michael Bondanza, Inc., Bondanza has won numerous international awards for his creative use of platinum, and his designs have won him renown among the designer community.

JCK