Michael Akkaoui, chairman of the Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America announced the appointment of Frank Dallahan as president and CEO of MJSA effective Oct. 1. Dallahan replaces James F. Marquart, who, as previously announced, will be retiring from MJSA at the end of September.
“Frank brings great industry achievement, credentials, and contacts to this position,” said Akkaoui. “We look forward to his contributions to all of MJSA’s diverse interests, including its educational programs, membership initiatives, AJM magazine, and Expo New York.”
Dallahan said, “My goals for the organization at this stage are to provide value to the members, to focus on more marketing-related matters for the manufacturing community, and to strengthen the relationship of MJSA with all the other jewelry trade associations. MJSA is the voice of the U.S. jewelry manufacturing community to retail and to the government. Additionally, MJSA is focused on teaching and improving the skill levels of people engaged in the manufacturing of jewelry.”
American manufacturers have to adjust to changing market conditions, he said, citing such examples as the Internet, supplier-of-choice, and offshore manufacturing, but American companies offer advantages in design, speed to market, quality, reliability, and service.
“U.S. jewelry manufacturers offer U.S. retailers the benefit of a U.S. base, local offices to handle questions, problems, and opportunities. At the end of the trail, this is a relationship-based business.”
Dallahan brings more than 30 years of jewelry industry experience to MJSA, most recently as publisher of the JCK International Publishing Group, which he joined in 1997 as industry relations manager. He was quickly promoted, first to associate publisher and, later, to publisher, a position he held from 2000 through 2004.
Prior to joining JCK, Dallahan held senior management positions with Krementz & Co., ArtCarved Bridal Jewelry, and the William Schneider Company.
Marquart will continue to work with MJSA as an advisor and consultant, focusing primarily on government affairs.
“Jim Marquart has done a remarkable job during his 10 year career at MJSA,” said Akkaoui. “The Board of Directors and I are very appreciative of all his contributions and wish him the best in his retirement.”
Founded in 1903, MJSA is a national jewelry trade association representing approximately 1,850 members from all facets of the jewelry industry. MJSA’s mission is to unite and empower its members to advance the jewelry manufacturing industry through government affairs, marketing and promotion, industry education, and cost-saving member benefits.
MJSA is also the presenter of Expo New York (www.expo-newyork.com), the largest trade show in the U.S. dedicated to jewelry manufacturing, and the publisher of AJM Magazine (www.ajm-magazine.com), an award-winning international trade publication on the topic of jewelry manufacturing.
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