The directors of The Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California have selected Frank Dallahan, publisher of JCK magazine, and Dave Bonaparte, vice president of The JCK Shows, to be the 2004 recipients of its highest honor, the Excellence in Service Award. The award is reserved for those who have made a significant improvement in or impact on the jewelry industry.

As publisher of JCK, Dallahan oversees the oldest and most respected trade publication in the jewelry industry. He has held senior-level marketing and general management positions with bridal jewelry manufacturers ArtCarved, Keepsake, and Krementz. He also served as CEO of William Schneider Jewelry, a Miami-based firm specializing in colored-stone jewelry, and had a tour of duty with the Diamonique division of QVC. Prior to that, he served as president of Kurt Gutmann Jewelry, an importer of fine Italian gold jewelry. Dallahan began his career in sales with Lenox China and Crystal, where he first had contact with retail jewelers.

Vice president of the jewelry portfolio of events for Reed Exhibitions for the last seven years, Dave Bonaparte is in charge of The JCK Shows in the United States and abroad. He was instrumental in developing The JCK Industry Fund, which provides $400,000 annually to individuals, groups, and associations that develop programs to benefit and promote the industry. To date, the fund has awarded more than $2 million in grants to jewelry industry organizations.

Bonaparte is on the board of directors of the NCCJ New Leadership Committee and serves on the Circle of Distinction Dinner Committee of the American Gem Society’s Triple O Awards. He also is a member of the International Executive Council of GIA and is a GIA League of Honor Sovereign.

This will be only the seventh time since the 24 Karat Club was established in 1944 that the Club’s Excellence in Service Award will be presented. The award ceremonies will take place on Saturday, Oct. 16, during the Club’s Annual Fall Dinner Dance held at the legendary Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows. The evening, chaired by Donna Phelan, will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, entertainment, a silent auction, and presentation of the traditional lady’s gift. Proceeds from the evening’s tribute book and auction will benefit the Jewelers Charity Fund.

A limited number of tickets and tables are available through the 24 Karat Club of Southern California office, priced at $350 per person. For tickets, raffle donations, or sponsorship opportunities, call Susan Kromka, the 24 Karat Club’s business manager, at (323) 550-4587 or fax (323) 550-4589; call Donna Phelan, at (310) 265-5409 or e-mail: donna.phelan@wachoviasec.com for complete details.

JCK