Jeffrey W. Comment, chairman and CEO of Helzberg Diamonds Shops, Inc., will receive the “ORT Community Achievement Award” from the Jewelry Industry Chapter of American ORT.

The award will be presented at the chapter’s annual Tribute Awards Dinner on Oct. 28, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Park Ave. at Grand Central Station at 6 p.m. For information or to make reservations, contact chapter director Gary Perl at 212-353-5822; or by fax at 212-353-5888; or e-mail gary@aort.org.

“We are proud to honor one of the key figures in retail jewelry,” said Michael Kaplan, chapter president. “Jeffrey has not only raised the bar of professionalism for the jewelry industry as a whole, but has dedicated considerable time to important national issues such as education, child welfare, and pediatric AIDS.”

Comment joined Helzberg Diamond Shops, Inc., Kansas City, Mo., in 1988 as president. He served side-by-side with Barnett C. Helzberg, Jr., growing the company from 80 to 145 stores. In May 1995, Helzberg Diamonds became a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and Comment became chairman and CEO. The company currently operates 262 stores across the U.S.

After graduating Indiana University in 1966 with a business marketing degree, Comment’s retail experiences began with several management positions in various department stores, including Jordan Marsh Company and Burdine’s. His last department store assignment was as president and COO of John Wanamaker Department Stores, Philadelphia’s largest department store at the time. He is a director and board member of the Diamond Council of America, Jewelry Information Center, Jewelers of America, and Jewelers Charity Fund for Children.

“Jeffrey also has distinguished himself in the Kansas City, Missouri, community with his service on a number of boards,” chapter chair Phyllis Bergman said.

JCK