Doug Robinson, formerly of Alfieri & St. John, and Craig Rutman, formerly of Chiampesan, have announced their new U.S./Caribbean sales team affiliation with Nanis s.r.l., of Trissino (Vicenza) Italy. Nanis is the newest member of the Italian Jewelry Guild.
Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) recently hired Yancy Weinrich as membership development representative. Weinrich will be based in the association’s new Manhattan office located at 500 Fifth Ave., Suite 4120.
Caribbean-based specialty retailer Little Switzerland Inc. has appointed Richard Sasso to the board of directors to serve until the next annual meeting. Sasso has more than 30 years of professional experience in the cruise industry.
DGSE Companies Inc., a wholesaler and retailer of precious metals, jewelry, fine watches and rare coins, has named Paul Hagen president and chief operating officer of Silverman Consultants Inc. Stuart Fetter, the former president of Silverman, tendered his resignation for medical reasons.
The Rosen Group, an arts marketing and publishing firm, has hired Andy Darlington as a graphic artist. He is a graduate of Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in Denver.
The Rosen Group also has hired Chris Leverenz as an advertising executive for NICHE and AmericanStyle. Leverenz is a recent graduate of Villanova University.
Samuel Aaron International has named Pam Mortensen director of sales, with her major responsibility being the Wal-Mart account. She most recently served as vice president of merchandising for the Diamond Division at Service Merchandise.
At a recent meeting of CIBJO (The International Confederation of Jewelry, Silverware, Diamonds, Pearls, and Stones), Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) president/CEO James F. Marquart was appointed vice president of Sector 1-Manufacturing.
Platinum jewelry company Scott Kay Inc. has named Mary Ann Maryn senior director of public relations. She is a former manager of special projects for MediaMap and was an executive vice president with Rubenstein Associates inc.
Five members of the gem industry have joined Gemworld International Inc. as pricing advisors for The Guide: Simon Watt of Mayer & Watt, Maysville, Ky.; Ron Rahmanan of Sara Gem Corp., New York; Philip Zahm of Philip Zahm Gemstones, Aptos, Calif.; Tom Cushman of Allerton Cushman and Co., Sun Valley, Idaho; and Armand Asher of Albert Asher South Sea Pearl Co., New York.
Sterling Jewelers Inc. has promoted Stuart Lee to the position of vice president of merchandising. Lee has been with Sterling for seven years, serving as director of gold and watches and director of merchandising for the free-standing store division.
Tom Clarkson has been named brand manager of Field & Stream watches for Egana of Switzerland (America) Corp. He is the founder of the Field & Stream brand and until December 2001 was the CEO of Egana’s USA watch group.
The Leading Jewelers of the World association has named Jack Gredinger as executive director. He’s a former CEO of Hearts On Fire and also worked with the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) for 20 years, serving as president and CEO.
Krista Olson has joined PolyGroup Ltd. as sales and marketing director. Olson served with Reed Exhibition Companies from 1992-2000, organizing North American pavilions at international jewelry shows including London, Tokyo, Kobe, and Dubai. She also served as sales director for The JCK Shows in Las Vegas and Orlando, Luxury by JCK, and the AGS Conclave.
Long Island-based Bellport Time, distributors for Bertolucci and Chrono Swiss, recently appointed Jim Grohn to the position of central regional sales manager for Bertolucci. Prior to joining the company, Grohn served as a regional vice president for the Bulova Watch Corp and, most recently, for Concord Watches.
William Devine has been appointed show manager for MCH Swiss Exhibition Ltd., which handles the Basel World Watch and Jewellery Show in Switzerland. Devine will oversee the existing Basel management team of Monica Guarnaccia, Sylvie Sengelin, and Martin Fergusson.
Rembrandt Charms has named Alan E. Nixon as operations director. He will be responsible for implementing new operations policies for the company as well as for account management and trade show participation.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has appointed Patricia Syvrud, G.G., to the newly created position of development associate at the Institute’s world headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif. Syvrud will be primarily responsible for cultivating and securing philanthropic gifts to GIA and its Endowment Fund, with special emphasis on building a highly sophisticated, permanent museum collection.