The Diamond Council of America elected new Board of Directors members at its annual board meeting in Las Vegas. Mitch Maggart of Helzberg Diamonds, was elected chairman of the Nashville-based organization. Other newly elected members are: Josh Weinman of Tache Diamonds, chairman elect; Bud Fluty of Absolute Brilliance, secretary/treasurer; Bruce Kenny of Sterling Jewelers Inc., vice president and remains a member of the DCA executive committee; and Randy McCullough of Samuels Jewelers, past chairman.

Maggart began his career in the jewelry industry in 1979. His experience ranges from being a craftsman at the jewelry bench to head of national store operations. He joined Helzberg Diamonds in 1989. Over the years he advanced upward through the ranks from store vice president an executive board member of the national retail chain and as Sr. vice president of Store Operations, Training, Learning, and Development.

Weinman is president of TachéDiamonds, the United States diamond division of Taché. A graduate of Ithaca College with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology, he joined Taché Jewelry in 1994 as a diamond buyer traveling monthly to Antwerp, India, and Israel. Within five years he was promoted to executive vice president. In 2004 Taché opened a flagship diamond office in New York City’s diamond district and Weinman was promoted to president of the diamond division. He is an active member of the American Gem Society and other industry organizations.

Fluty is a partner and vice president of Sales/Marketing of Absolute Brilliance, Inc. Upon graduation from the University of Florida, he entered the retail jewelry business in 1981. As a 24 year industry veteran, he has served as director of Special Events for Zale Corp. and currently oversees sales, marketing, and training for Absolute Brilliance, New York City. He holds the Registered Supplier certificate from the AGS., is Diamond Certified by the DCA, and holds a variety of Gemological Institute of America certificates. 

Kenny has been with Sterling Jewelers Inc. since 1974, starting as a manager trainee/assistant manager in Glens Falls, N.Y. After his first promotion to Store Manager in 1975, he spent the next five years managing stores in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. His career in Sterling corporate management began in 1979, with his promotion to district manager. He was promoted to regional VP of Operations in 1984, vice president in 1991, and vice president of Operations Administration in 1996. In 1998, he took on additional responsibilities for the Real Estate and Store Planning departments.

McCullough started his career as a store manager in 1973, rising through the ranks to become a diamond buyer, general merchandise manager, and, eventually, vice president of Merchandise and Marketing with A. A. Friedman Co. in Augusta, Ga. During those years, he obtained degrees from GIA, DCA, and Jewelers Institute of America. In August 1991, he moved to El Paso, Texas, to serve as president of Silverman’s Factory Jewelers. Under his guidance the company grew from an unprofitable seven-store operation to an 18- store professionally managed enterprise doing business in 10 states. McCullough joined Barry’s Jewelers in April 1997 and remains with them today, under the name Samuels Jewelers. McCullough serves as the company’s president and CEO, overseeing approximately 97 stores in 20 states.

Additional DCA board members elected are: president, Terry Chandler; two vice presidents, Mary Ann Doran of Zale Corp. and Steve Robbins of Robbins Bros.; directors Dan Casanova of Riddle’s Jewelry, Alan Zimmer of Reed’s Jewelers, Inc., Kate Peterson of Performance Concepts, Pete Engel of Fred Meyer, and Vicki Cunningham of Cunningham Fine Jewelry. Jerry Robbins of Robbins Diamonds serves as chairman emeritus.

JCK