Diamond software solutions provider eDiamondselect announced that industry veteran David R. Norman has formally joined the company as vice president of Sales and Marketing.

Norman, who has handled several projects for eDiamondselect as a consultant and helped launch the site in 2005, will begin his new role with the company on Feb. 18. His experience and industry contacts, particularly in the jewelry chain store sector, should help eDiamondselect expand on its recent success in forging new partnerships with major jewelry retailers, the Hollywood, Fla.-based company said in a statement.  

“The timing was right for David to come aboard full-time,” said Marc Plotkin, eDiamondselect. “We are excited to have someone with his caliber of experience and track record of success to lead our sales and marketing effort and help us take eDiamondselect to the next level.” 

Norman said the site is ready to dramatically expand its presence, and his top priority is to spearhead that effort by increasing sales and marketing presentations to leading potential retail partners.

“My goal is to talk to as many people as possible, and demonstrate why eDiamondselect is the best new sales tool a jeweler can have right now,” Norman said. “It’s time for the retail jeweler to bring loose diamond sales back into their stores.”  

Norman, considered one of the jewelry industry’s premier marketing and merchandising executives.

His experience includes 23 years at the Fox’s Jewelers, where he ultimately served as executive vice president of Merchandising and Marketing; a stint with Reeds Jewelers as vice president of Merchandising and Marketing; a move into e-commerce as executive vice president of Marketing for ijewelry.com; president of upscale Schwarzchild Jewelers; a lead consulting role with Crescent Jewelers to develop a Hispanic division; and for the last four years, running his own industry consulting business, Retail Jewelry Consultants.

JCK