The Jewelers’ Security Alliance honored a long-timer fighter of jewelry crimes and elected a new chairman at its 120th annual meeting and luncheon this month in New York City.

Det. Michael L. Woodings of the Los Angeles Police Dept. received JSA’s James B. White award during the Jan. 16 event at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.

JSA president John Kennedy cited Wooding’s remarkable record in arresting hundreds of jewelry criminals over many years and for being one of the leading U.S. experts on South American jewelry theft gangs. Woodings is currently assigned to the FBI/LAPD Task Force, which is successfully pursuing South American gangs, which attack the jewelry industry and its traveling salespeople.

The award, given annually to someone in law enforcement by JSA, is named for James B. White, former JSA president (1964 – 1993), who was on hand for the presentation. Also participating in the presentation was the number two top official of the FBI, Kathleen L. McChesney, executive assistant director of law enforcement services of the Bureau. In her remarks to the JSA officials, she said that despite the threats and burdens of terrorism, the FBI won’t abandon its responsibilities for fighting traditional crimes, including crimes against the U.S. jewelry industry.

In JSA business at the annual meeting, Alan F. Kleinberg, a principal of Michael Werdiger Inc., was selected the new chairman of JSA for a two-year term. He succeeds Hugh G. Glenn, chairman of Cyma Watch/Glenn Corp. In turning over JSA’s reins, Glenn cited Kleinberg’s distinguished 30-year career in the diamond business, including service as president of the Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association, and volunteer and leadership posts in the industry. Glenn also presented a plague to Robert L. Bridge, of Ben Bridge Jewelers, who retired from the JSA board after seven years of service. Glenn called Bridge “the inspiration and driving force” of JSA’s successful lobbying efforts to boost federal support for fighting jewelry crimes.

Glenn also presented a plague to Ronald K. Wayne, of Kurt Wayne inc., who served on the JSA board of director from 1989 to 1998, as the first member of the JSA advisory board, from 1998 to 2002.

In other business, Adam C. Heyman of Oscar Heyman & Brothers was elected to a two-year term as JSA secretary/treasurer. Walter Fischer, president and chief executive officer of Rolex Watch USA Inc., was elected to the JSA board for a three-year term.

JCK