DesignWorks recently appointed Kevin Reilly vice president of sales. Reilly will be responsible for expanding the distribution of the company’s luxury branded products to independent jewelers.

GE Commercial Finance’s corporate lending division has named James Hogan, senior vice president, to lead the origination function of its retail finance team. Hogan joined GE in 1997 from ING Capital. He graduated from Columbia University with a bachelor’s degree in economics, and from New York University Stern School of Business, where he earned an MBA in finance.

RDI Diamonds, Rochester, N.Y., has added Dan Lazzaro to its sales team.

Sterling Jewelers Inc. has appointed Tryna Kochanek to the company’s executive committee. Kochanek is senior vice president of operations and has been with Sterling since 1986. She joined the company as a part-time office associate and moved up through the ranks, serving in various positions until her promotion to senior vice president in 2000.

A. Jaffe has announced the appointment of David M. Gasway to the position of vice president of sales for the United States market. Gasway’s experience in the fine-jewelry industry has included positions with Lazare Kaplan International, Mikimoto (America) Co., and Rolex Watch USA.