Jewelers for Children Elects New Officers and Directors

The Jewelers for Children board of directors held elections at their semi-annual meeting in Las Vegas in June.  New officers and 12 new directors were elected for terms beginning on October 1, 2017. 

Pamela Mortensen, senior vice president and general merchandise manager for fine & fashion jewelry and watches at J.C. Penney was elected as chairman of the board.  She assumes the role from Dennis Ulrich of the Richline Group who has concluded a two-year term as chair.

Other officers elected are Debra Puzio, Starluxe, LLC, vice-president for fundraising; John White, Fossil Group, vice-president for special programs, Jeffrey Cohen, Citizen Watch America, vice-president for charity programs, Howard Hauben, H2 Events/Centurion Jewelry Show, vice-president for marketing and public relations, Alan Zimmer, Reeds Jewelers, treasurer, and Sebastian Hobbs, Signet Jewelers, Ltd., secretary.  Ulrich continues as immediate past chair.

“I am thrilled to be elected as the chair of Jewelers for Children.  said Moretensen.  As a mother, I can’t think of anything more important than the work our industry does in helping children in need and I’m honoured to serve.”

Twelve new directors were elected to three-year terms.  They are Debbie Azar, Gemological Science International, Chad Berg, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, Katherine Bodoh, American Gem Society, Jack Gabriel, Gabriel & Co., Mark Goldberg, Rolex Watch USA, Kari Gray-Hoff, Blue Nile, Steven Kaiser, Kaiser Time, Sally Morrison, Gemfields, Birain Parikh, Rosy Blue, Matthew Rosenheim, Tiny Jewel Box, Steven Vardi, Vardi Company, and Steven Velasquez, Bailey, Bank & Biddle. 

Six directors were also re-elected to a second, three-year term.  They are Benny Hematian, B.H. Multi Corp/Effy Group, Ezriel Rapaport, Rapaport, Ashok Kumar Sancheti, Pioneer Gems, Elliot Tannenbaum, Leo Schachter Diamonds, Rhonda Violet, Assurant, and Eric Zuckerman, Pac Team Group.

Nine directors also concluded their terms on the board.  They are Ruth Batson, American Gem Society, Jim DeMattei, Viewpoint Sales and Marketing, Ellen Fruchtman, Fruchtman Marketing, Harvey Kanter, Blue Nile, Joel Schechter, Honora, Hank Siegel, Hamilton Jewelers, Laura Stanley, Laura Stanley Personal Jeweler, Stewart Wicht, Rolex Watch USA, and Ulrich Wohn.

“We are fortunate to have so many talented individuals serving on the board and we greatly thank them for their service to the charity.” added Mortensen.

Jewelers for Children was founded in 1999 by the U.S. jewelry industry with the mission of helping children in need. Since its inception, JFC has donated more than $ 51 million to programs benefiting children whose lives have been affected by illness, abuse, or neglect. This nationwide success is due to the continuing generosity of jewelry trade organizations, jewelry and watch manufacturing companies, jewelry retail stores, individual jewelry professionals, and jewelry consumers. Visit our website at www.jewelersforchildren.org.