Changes and new appointments followed the annual elections for the Board of Directors of Jewelers for Children (JFC). Ruth Batson, the executive director and CEO of the American Gem Society (AGS) and AGS Laboratories, is elected as chair of the board of directors, making her the first woman to ever chair the organization. The appointment takes effect from October 1, 2013.

Also, the board welcomed six new directors. Officers who will serve alongside Batson include Mark Light of Sterling Inc. and JFC's vice president of charity programs; Dennis Ulrich of the Richline Group and JFC's vice president of fundraising; Jim De Mattei of ViewPoint sales and marketing and the vice president of marketing and public relations for JFC; Debra Puzio of QVC and JFC's vice president of special programs; Pamela Mortensen of JCPenney Inc. and JFC's secretary; Ulrich Wohn of LVMH watches and jewelry and JFC's treasurer and Peter Engel of Fred Meyer Jewelers and the charity group's immediate past chair.

Six new directors were elected to three-year terms, while 11 directors were elected to an additional three-year term. Also, 12 directors concluded their terms on the board, reports say.