The Jewelers for Children board of directors held elections at their semi-annual meeting in Las Vegas in June.  Ten new directors were elected to the board and the current officers were re-elected to a second, one-year term.  All terms will begin on October 1, 2018. 

Pamela Mortensen, senior vice president and general merchandise manager for fine & fashion jewelry and watches at J.C. Penney was re-elected as chairman of the board.  Other officers re-elected are Debra Puzio, Starluxe, LLC, vice-president for fundraising and chair-elect; 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. 

“I am thrilled to be re-elected as the chair of Jewelers for Children.  Serving for such a great cause, working with so many dedicated people, has been a very rewarding experience,” said Moretensen

Ten new directors were elected to three-year terms.  They are Alexis Padis, Padis Jewelry; Joel Schechter, Richline Group/Honora; Sheri Ihde, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company; Craig Rottenberg, Long’s Jewelers; Kilian Muller, Tag Heuer; Beth Gerstein, Brilliant Earth; Stephen Moore, Macy’s; Alex Grinberg; Movado Group and Sarin Bachman, JCK Events.

Six directors were also re-elected to a second, three-year term.  They are Michael Benavente, Bulova; Gannon Brousseau, Emerald Expositions; Karen Goracke, Borsheims; Abhay Javeri, SDC Designs; Jenny Luker, Platinum Guild International; and Sam Sandberg, A. Jaffe.

Nine directors concluded their terms on the board and were recognized during the meeting.  They are Alan Chinich, Movado Group; David Cochran, MJSA; Jeff Corey, Day’s Jewelers; Vicki Cunningham, Cunningham Fine Jewelers; Jerry Ehrenwald, International Gemological Institute; Scott McQuaid, In House Jewelers; and Eddie Le Vian, Le Vian.

“We are so fortunate to have had these talented individuals serve 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. jewellery industry with the mission of helping children in need. Since its inception, JFC has donated more than $ 55 million to programs benefiting children whose lives have been affected by illness, abuse, or neglect.