COMPANIES
Jared and e-tailer James Allen have opened their first concept store, Jared x James Allen, in Frederick, Md. Both are owned by Signet Jewelers.
Blue Nile plans to open 50–100 brick-and-mortar webrooms in the next five years, CEO Sean Kell told the Puget Sound Business Journal.
A private investment group, led by mergers and acquisitions lawyer Michael Sweeney, is relaunching the American watch brand Benrus. Michael Goeller, former executive vice president of worldwide operations for Bulova, has joined the brand as chief operating officer.
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Shinola has named Shannon Washburn its new CEO. She will continue as the company’s president. Washburn replaces Tom Lewand, the former Detroit Lions president who served as CEO for three years.
Albert Bensoussan has stepped down as CEO of Kering’s watches and jewelry division after five years.
Robbins Brothers has named Marc Friedant its new CEO. He has been the 15-store chain’s chief financial officer since July 2018 and its president and CFO since October 2019. He replaces Andy Heyneman, who led the company for 14 years.
Carla Liuni, former vice president of global marketing and communication at Bulgari, will join Pandora as chief marketing officer. Current interim CMO Jesper Damsgaard will transition to a new role.
Birks Group’s vice president and chief financial officer Pasquale “Pat” Di Lillo is leaving the company. Veteran finance executive Katia Fontana will step into the role.
Marc Hruschka, who previously worked with Chopard USA, John Hardy, and Chanel, has been appointed president and CEO of Graff USA.
Sotheby’s has named Charles F. Stewart, who most recently served as copresident of Altice USA, as its new CEO after the company was taken private. He succeeds Tad Smith.
The Watches of Switzerland Group has hired Katie Reed, a veteran of Patek Philippe and Watch Journal, to be U.S. vice president of marketing. In addition, chief operating officer Anthony “Tony” Broderick is retiring after 40 years with the company.
Jean-Marc Lieberherr has stepped down as CEO of the Diamond Producers Association after heading it for nearly four years. David Kellie, a marketing exec at Ralph Lauren and Watches of Switzerland, will take over the group of diamond miners.
Auction house Phillips has recruited Paul Redmayne to be head of private sales, jewelry. He previously worked at Bonhams.
Kelly Ross has been appointed the managing director of loss prevention for the Canadian Jewellers Association and Jewellers Vigilance Canada. Ross has served for more than 23 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, where he became a specialist in jewelry-related crimes.
Veteran security professional Larry Spicer has joined Jewelers Mutual Group as vice president of loss prevention and risk management services. He replaces David Sexton, who retired after 39 years with the company.
Michael Pollak has stepped down as CEO of Hyde Park Jewelers, the 10-store retailer he cofounded in Denver in 1976. He will continue to serve as Hyde Park’s nonexecutive chairman. Damon Gross, the company’s former chief operating officer, is Hyde Park’s new CEO.
The Indian Diamond and Colorstone Association has elected Haridas Kotahwala of Royal India USA as its president for the year 2020.
The GIA has appointed marketing veteran Mark Buntz senior vice president and chief marketing officer. He takes over from longtime CMO Kathryn Kimmel, who has retired.
Goldiam USA has hired Scott Sedlacek, a veteran of Reeds Jewelers and Gabriel & Co., as vice president of sales and business development.
REMEMBERED
Natural pearl and estate jewelry dealer Paul Fisher died Dec. 4 of complications from pneumonia. He was 92.
Arnold Bockstruck, a longtime St. Paul, Minn., jeweler active in industry associations, died Oct. 28 at age 91.
Marvin Zale, a former board member and vice chairman of Zales when it was the largest jeweler in America, died Oct. 10 in Boca Raton, Fla., at 89.
Richard “Rick” Scroggins, owner of Scroggins Jewelers in Sheboygan, Wis., died Oct. 11 of cancer. He was 68.
Martin R. Siegel, chairman of Princeton, N.J.–based four-store retailer Hamilton Jewelers, died Dec. 17 in Jupiter, Fla. He was 86.
Andrew “Andy” Kroungold, the veteran of Stuller’s tool department known as “Andy the Tool Guy,” died suddenly Nov. 27. He was 66.
Raymond Mastoloni Sr., 89, company partner of Mastoloni Pearls and former president of the Cultured Pearl Association of America, died Jan. 9.
HONORED
The Jewelers Vigilance Committee honored GIA president and CEO Susan Jacques with its Stanley Schechter Award at its annual luncheon Jan.10.
At its annual Gem Awards, Jewelers of America honored Ed Bridge, chairman emeritus of Ben Bridge Jeweler, with its Lifetime Achievement award. Nikos Koulis won the Gem Award for jewelry design; Rachel Garrahan, jewelry and watch director for British Vogue, nabbed the award for media excellence; and Portland, Ore.–based Twist got the prize for retail innovation.
Jewelers’ Security Alliance presented its 15th Annual Industry Service Award to Christina Hackler, vice president of global asset protection for Signet Jewelers, at its Jan. 11 luncheon.
Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America has honored former Rio Grande president Alan Bell with its Lifetime Achievement Award.