Women’s Jewelry Association has established a new chapter for its members who reside or work in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area. Formerly these members were grouped under a national organization banner.

“This new chapter will not only bring more benefits to the members in the metropolitan area, it will also help WJA better support its entire membership because the National Board can now be more strategically focused,” said Anna Martin, WJA President, who made the announcement at the organization’s annual Awards for Excellence gala at Chelsea Piers in New York City.

As of Aug. 1, the new Metropolitan Chapter becomes WJA’s 11th chapter and the largest, with more than 400 members.

Ronni Klein, president of Displays and More, and a longtime national hoard member, has been appointed president of the new chapter. Other Executive Board members include: First Vice President, Marcee Feinberg of Lazare Kaplan; Second Vice President, Michele Kwiat Siegel of Kwiat; Secretary, Marilyn Liebman of MJSA/AJM Magazine; Treasurer, Karen Janowski of Diamond Vision Services; and immediate past president of National, Phyllis Bergman of Mercury Ring Corporation.

Board members are: Rowena Conhaim, Rowena Consulting Inc.; Diane DiVincenzo, Corum USA; Rebecca Fitts, Tache USA; Georgia Fleming, Veranda magazine; Jennifer Gandia, Greenwich Jewelers; Carolyn Jacoby, Australian Pearl Centre; Helena Krodel, Jewelry Information Center; Nancy Oppenheimer, JCK magazine; Dana Sergenian, Gourmet magazine; Deborah Tauber, Robb Report; Lauren Tischler, Hamilton Jewelers.

JCK