Press ReleaseAugust 16, 2012. For Immediate Release
Jewelers of America Announces New Board Directors 
At the semi-annual Board meeting, six new Board Directors were elected

New York, NY - Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry retail marketplace, elected six new industry leaders to its Board of Directors at its semi-annual Board meeting on July 28, in New York. The new directors are Coleman Clark, B.C. Clark Jewelers; Oklahoma City, OK; Lane Schiffman, Schiffman's, Greensboro, NC; James Seuss, Tourneau; New York, NY; Ray Stuart, Helzberg Diamonds, Kansas City, MO; Cathy Tivol, Tivol, Inc., Kansas City, MO; and Betsy Wolgemuth, Koser Jewelers, Mount Joy, PA. The new Directors will serve through 2015.

"I'm pleased to welcome these jewelry executives to our Board. Their industry perspectives can only help to advance Jewelers of America's mission to serve our diverse membership and maintain consumer confidence in the fine jewelry retail marketplace," says JA Board Chair Georgie Gleim, of Gleim The Jeweler.

The Directors' experience reflects Jewelers of America's membership - the majority of which are successful family-owned, independent jewelers and leading international luxury brands:

Coleman Clark is president of B.C. Clark Jewelers, which has been family owned and operated since 1892. He is active within the industry, serving on the Board of the American Gem Society and is a past president of the Oklahoma Jewelers Association, a JA state partner association. He is a Graduate Gemologist (Gemological Institute of America) and Certified Gemologist (American Gem Society).

Lane Schiffman is co-owner of Schiffman's, a family-owned jewelry chain established in 1893 in Greensboro, NC. Schiffman acts as the company's director of marketing & advertising and director of fine timepiece merchandising. He is a Graduate Gemologist (Gemological Institute of America) and Certified Gemologist (American Gem Society).
James Seuss

James Seuss
is president & chief executive officer of Tourneau, America's largest luxury watch retailer. Throughout his career, including executive positions at Tiffany & Co., Gucci Group and Harry Winston, he has developed an impeccable background building world-class luxury brands. Seuss brings to JA's Board the important perspective of brand management for both retail and wholesale businesses.

Ray Stuart
Ray Stuart is senior vice president, chief merchandising officer of Helzberg Diamonds. His 28-year career in the jewelry industry includes positions as a fine jewelry and watch buyer for Macy's; president of Bailey, Banks and Biddle Fine Jewelers; and president of Movado Boutiques. As a multi-store retail executive, Stuart is highly regarded for his expertise in merchandise strategy development and execution.
Cathy Tivol
Cathy Tivol
is the CEO of Tivol, Inc., which was established by her grandfather in 1910 in Kansas City. Cathy oversees Tivol's three retail locations, including their marketing and merchandising directions. The Tivol family business exemplifies JA's Code of Professional Practices through strict ethical business practices, a passion for quality merchandise and excellent customer service.

Betsy WolgemuthBetsy Wolgemuth has been co-owner of family-run Koser Jewelers since 1988. As co-owner, she is hands-on with the store's marketing, merchandising, design and customer service. Wolgemuth has also served on the Board of the Independent Jewelers Organization. She is a Graduate Gemologist (Gemological Institute of America) and a Master Graduate Gemologist (Independent Jewelers Organization).

The Board of Directors meeting also honored JA's outgoing directors: Thomas Andruskevich, Birks & Mayors; Frederic de Narp, Harry Winston; Theo Killion, Zale Corporation; Bill Koen, Joe Koen & Son Jewelers; Beryl Raff, Helzberg Diamonds; and Hank Siegel, Hamilton Jewelers.

JA's Board of Directors is led by an Executive Committee comprised of Chair Georgie Gleim, Gleim The Jeweler; Chairman-Elect William Farmer, Jr., Farmer's Jewelry; Vice Chairman Ryan Berg, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry; Vice Chairman Scot Congress, Congress Jewelers; Vice Chairman Peter Engel, Fred Meyer Jewelers; Treasurer John Henne, Henne Jewelers; and Secretary Michael J. Kowalski, Tiffany & Co.

For the complete list of JA's 2012-2013 Board of Directors, visit www.jewelers.org/aboutJA/board.html.  

About Jewelers of America 

Jewelers of America (JA) is the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry retail marketplace, with the primary purpose of improving consumer confidence in the jewelry industry. JA's consumer education arm, Jewelry Information Center (JIC), provides public relations and marketing services on behalf of the fine jewelry and watch industry. Visit www.jewelers.org and www.JIC.org  for more information.

Jewelers of America
52 Vanderbilt Avenue
19th Floor
New York, NY 10017
www.jewelers.org
800-223-0673
For more information contact:     

Lauren Thompson
Jewelers of America
lthompson@jewelers.org
(646) 658-5817