Jewelers of America (JA) has tapped Holly Wesche, owner of Wesche Jewelers in Melbourne, Fla., as board chair. She took over on July 30, when JA held its board meeting and also elected an executive committee along with new directors. She replaces John Henne, who owns Henne Jewelers of Pittsburgh.

In a statement, JA president and chief executive officer David J. Bonaparte, remarked: “Holly Wesche has already made tremendous contributions to our board. She is a brilliant businesswoman whose passion for JA runs deep. We look forward to her leadership as she helps to guide JA forward.”

Wesche comes to the position with a strong pedigree: She is the third generation of a jewelry family, a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and is a certified gemologist from American Gem Society (AGS). Wesche Jewelers is the largest independent jeweler in Florida’s Brevard County with a certified gemologist and gemologist appraiser, two jewelry designers, and a master goldsmith. The jeweler also has a fully accredited gemological laboratory.

Wesche noted that working with JA has long been a family priority. Her great uncle, Herb Underwood, served as president of Retail Jewelers of America (now JA). “I am honored to be part of the JA board and to serve as chair during this exciting time of change for our industry,” she said in the same statement.

Along with the board chair, JA announced an executive committee: chair- elect Robert F. Moeller II, R.F. Moeller Jeweler; vice chair Coleman Clark, BC Clark Jewelers; vice chair Karen Goracke, Borsheims; treasurer Craig Rottenberg, Long’s Jewelers; secretary Matthew Rosenheim, Tiny Jewel Box; and past chairman John Henne, Henne Jewelers.

In related news, JA named five directors all elected for a three-year term: Lawrence Bock, president and owner of Bachendorf’s; Caryl Capeci, president of Chow Tai Fook, North America; Tobey Ritchie, vice president of Harry Ritchie’s; Lenny Kramer, executive vice president of sales at Leo Schachter; and Stan Razny, owner of Razny Jewelers.

For more information, visit JA for a complete list of board directors.

Top: Holly Wesche, Jewelers of America’s new board chair (image courtesy of Jewelers of America)

Kristin Young

JCK Magazine Contributor