Sharon Buntain has been named president of Lalique North America. Buntain formerly was president at Augros Inc.

MG & G Advertising has appointed Peg Fitchwell-Hill as executive vice president. Fitchwell-Hill is a member of the Advertising Women of New York and the Women’s Jewelry Association.

Leo Thaler has joined Sandberg and Sikorski Corp. as director of product development for major retailers. Thaler has 50 years’ experience in the fine jewelry industry, including directing product development for Feature Ring Co., M. Fabrikant and Sons Inc., and ArtCarved.

GemKey.com has appointed Thomas Davis as director of quality assurance and product information. Prior to joining GemKey.com, Davis served as corporate manager of quality assurance at Zale Corporation, where he was recognized as “most valuable player of the season” in 1999.

UNOAERRE has named Leonardo Lanaro vice president of sales and marketing for UNOAERRE USA/Gori & Zucchi Inc. Lanaro, who joined UNOAERRE in 1997, has held positions in credit management and has overseen more than 100 “UNOAERRE Corners” throughout the Americas.

George E. “Tip” Cornell has joined Stuller as vice president of sales. Cornell had been a sales and marketing consultant with a startup biotechnology company in the nutraceutical industry, responsible for sales and marketing functions as well as advertising venues, package design, and new product launches.

Lane Miller has been named executive vice president of MEI FA/Shaune Bazner Accessories Inc., a fashion jewelry and hair accessory company based in Washington, D.C. Miller comes to MEI FA from Borders Books and Music in Philadelphia, Pa., where she spent nine years as regional director of operations. She was previously a partner with Wolf, Blumberg, Krody Inc., a marketing communications company in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Michael O’Connor has been appointed vice president of public relations and marketing for Goldstein Communications. The company specializes in the jewelry and luxury goods markets. O’Connor had been with bridal jewelry retailer Frederick Goldman Inc. for 10 years. Most recently, he directed the repositioning and brand development of the ArtCarved consumer brand.

Veteran watch executive Mort Gershman has joined the staff of The JCK Show and its advisory board as exhibitor relations consultant for the watch segment of the shows. Gershman spent 12 years with Hattori Corp. of America (Seiko) as president of the company’s Pulsar, Jaz, and Lorus brands and OEM segments. He also held the positions of executive vice president of Hattori Corp of America as well as Seiko Time Corp.; president of Movado Time Corp.; and executive vice president of Elgin National Industries. His industry activities include membership on the executive committee of the Jewelry Industry Council and serving as chairman of the American Watch Association.

Hoover and Strong has appointed John A. Politi Jr. as sales representative for all products and services in the northern sales region. Politi has 23 years of jewelry industry experience in mill products, refining services, and precious metal management. He serves on committees with Manufacturing Jewelers and Silversmiths of America, Golden Circle Club of New York, National Conference for Community and Justice, and American ORT Federation and is a member of the 24 Karat Club of New York.

Richard S. Fields has been named chief operating officer of Hearts On Fire. He comes to the company from Monet International, where he was executive vice president. Fields will manage the domestic and international growth of Hearts On Fire’s loose diamonds as well as its Sabrina line of mounted diamonds.

Joseph R. Peixoto has joined Gannon & Scott as sales director. Peixoto joined the firm, a refiner and assayer of precious metals, from Handy & Harman Refining Group, where he was plant manager of the Attleboro Refining Co.

Wright & Lato, a manufacturer of wedding bands in platinum and 18k and 14k gold, announces the appointment of Terry Pasch to the post of national sales manager. Pasch previously was territory manager, a position he held for five years.

Larry McCoy has been named president of Rogers Jewelers, the jewelry division of Ellenstein Stores Inc. McCoy has more than 25 years of jewelry industry experience. Rogers Jewelers operates 13 locations in Indiana and Kentucky.

Peggy Campbell has been appointed associate development director for the American Gem Society. Her responsibilities include facilitating the AGS Partnership for Excellence Capital Campaign, undertaken for the 2001 AGS campus expansion project. Campbell formerly served as executive assistant to executive director Robert Bridel.