Ruth Batson, executive director and CEO of the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories, has been elected chair of the Jewelers for Children board of directors.
Batson is the first woman to chair the organization in its 16-year history.
“Having been involved with JFC since its inception and now having the opportunity to serve as board chair is truly an incredible honor,” said Batson in a statement. “I’m very much looking forward to continuing the good that the organization has achieved in the past 16 years, and I look forward to working with a very dedicated group of board members.”
In addition to Batson, other officers elected to serve on the board are:
- Mark Light, Sterling, vice president of charity programs
- Dennis Ulrich Richline Group, vice president of fundraising
- Jim De Mattei, ViewPoint Sales and Marketing, vice president of marketing and public relations
- Debra Puzio, QVC, vice president of special programs
- Pamela Mortensen, J.C. Penney, secretary
- Ulrich Wohn, LVMH Watch and Jewelry, treasurer
- Peter Engel, Fred Meyer Jewelers, immediate past chair
In addition, six new directors were elected to three-year terms. They are:
- Christopher McCabe, Emerald Expositions
- Michael Feinman, Gitanjali
- Moshe Klein, Julius Klein/Ritani
- Charles Stanley, Forevermark
- Alan Zimmer, Reeds Jewelers
- R. Andrew Johnson, Diamond Cellar Holdings
Eleven directors were elected to additional three-year terms. They are:
- Nabil Abdallah, Radiance of Hope
- Debbie Azar, Gemological Science International
- Scott Berg, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry
- John Esposito, JewelAmerica
- Rebecca Foerster, Rio Tinto Diamonds
- Russell Kwiat, Kwiat
- Michael Langhammer, Quality Gold
- Dipu Mehta, Rosy Blue
- Mark Udell, London Jewelers
- Steven Velasquez, Allen M. and Madison Jewelers
- Joshua Weinman, Firestone
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