COMINGS AND GOINGS
>>?Target has hired former Nordstrom executive Mark Tritton (pictured) as executive vice president and chief merchandising officer.
>>?The World Federation of Diamond Bourses has reelected Ernest Blom to a third consecutive two-year term heading the group. Israel Diamond Exchange president Yoram Dvash was elected vice president; Rony Unterman of Belgium continues as secretary-general. Bharat Diamond Bourse vice president Mehul Shah was elected treasurer-general, replacing long-standing officeholder Dieter Hahn.
>>?Lisa Bissell, the former Fabrikant executive who headed Pure Grown Diamonds for two years, has left the company. No replacement was named, but the company has hired Alan Cohen, a 35-year industry veteran, as vice president of sales.
Kendra Bridelle
>>?Industry veteran Kendra Bridelle, a past president of the Women’s Jewelry Association, has joined Judith Ripka Ltd. as vice president of sales.
>>?Michael Hill International Ltd., the Brisbane, Australia–based retailer with 312 stores worldwide, has named Anna-Maree Shaw its chief marketing officer.
>>?Memoire, the jewelry brand owned by Chow Tai Fook, has named Mike Mojica regional sales manager, Southwest and Southeast. Mojica was most recently the director of acquisitions and sales at Hearts On Fire, which is also owned by Chow Tai Fook.
>>?Blue Nile chief merchant Julie Yoakum, who joined the company in 2012, has left the e-tailer. The company is searching for her replacement.
Steven Grotell
>>?Delmar Jewelers, the family-owned manufacturer based in Montreal, has appointed industry veteran Steven Grotell director of design. Grotell has worked for Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, Giorgio Armani, Le Vian, and Barneys New York.
>>?Worthy, the online marketplace for preowned jewelry, diamonds, and luxury watches, has named Regina Ciarleglio director of retail development. Ciarleglio was most recently vice president of client development at GE Capital.
>>?Sarine Technologies has acquired Diamining, which develops point-of-sale applications for diamonds, -gemstones, and jewelry, for $1.2 million in cash.
>>?Alrosa, the Russian diamond mining company, has named Matvey Evseev company vice president. In his new position, Evseev will lead implementation of special projects at the company’s mining facilities. Evseev was previously CEO of the Alrosa subsidiary OJSC Almazy Anabara.
Marc McWeeny
>>?Rue La La, the online flash-sale site, has appointed as CEO Mark McWeeny, one of the original founders of the company. McWeeny, who previously served as the chief financial officer, chief marketing officer, and president of new ventures, replaces Steve Davis.
>>?The Responsible Jewellery Council has elected Wilfried Hoerner of Argor-Heraeus chairman of the board. Mark Jenkins of Signet Jewelers was reelected honorary secretary.
>>?Jewelers Vigilance Committee has promoted Sara Yood to senior counsel. Yood joined the organization in 2012 as assistant general counsel.
Vintage Rally Peking to Paris 40 mm automatic; $1,595; Frederique Constant, Deerfield Beach, Fla.; 954-312-3600; frederique-constant.com
COMPANIES
>>?Japan-based Citizen Watch Co. is acquiring Swiss watch brand Frederique Constant Holding, which owns the brands Frederique Constant, Alpina, and Ateliers deMonaco.
>>?The Richline Group has added another brand to its ever-growing stable, scooping up John C. Nordt, the Roanoke, Va.–based supplier of metals to the jewelry industry. Paul Nordt III, Rob Nordt Sr., and Rob Nordt Jr. will continue to lead the company along with its management team.
REMEMBERED
>>?Hubert Ryan Aucoin (above), principal in Aucoin Hart Jewelers in New Orleans, died May 15 from T-cell lymphoma and leukemia. He was 38 years old. Known as Ryan, Aucoin handled creative advertising, diamond buying, and other duties for his family’s retail business.
>>?Stuart Zuckerman, a former top executive with Seiko and Citizen, died May 21 of frontotemporal degeneration in Atlantic Highlands, N.J. He was 67.
ORGANIZATIONS
>>?The American Gem Trade Association will work to combat the rise of silicosis, the debilitating and fatal disease that results from inhalation of silica dust, which is released during the fashioning of gem materials containing silica. Vice president Bruce Bridges will lead a six-month study to evaluate how the AGTA should respond.
