John H. King has been named executive vice president of Gannon & Scott, a Cranston, R.I.-based refiner and assayer of precious metals. King joins Gannon & Scott from Handy & Harman Refining Group, where he was corporate treasurer and a member of the board of directors. He also served as senior vice president with Fleet Bank, vice president with Rothschild, and an officer with Citibank precious metals. King is currently president of the New England chapter of the International Precious Metals Institute.

The Gemological Institute of America has appointed Linda Ellis to the position of director of development. Ellis will direct and manage the GIA endowment campaign and supervise operational areas of development, including special events and alumni. Ellis previously served as executive director of the nonprofit San Diego Blood Bank Foundation.

Dennis G. Dracup has been named chief executive officer of GemKey. Dracup, formerly president of Pitney Bowes Software Solutions, succeeds Michael Cunningham, who has been appointed president and chief operating officer of GemKey.

General Electric Company has appointed Michelle Kalina as marketing director, GE Gem Technologies, responsible for providing marketing and sales leadership for GE’s new gem product lines. Kalina has held sales and marketing positions with Neiman Marcus Group, Michel Dawkins Inc., Escada (USA) Retail Inc., and, most recently, was instrumental in the launch of the VIVID Collection by Shaer & Spector.

Joseph P. Bauman has joined Chopard as the company’s first-ever chief financial officer in the United States. He had been director of finance and administration at Bvlgari, which went from $30 million in yearly revenue to $100 million during his five-year tenure. Prior to his work with Bvlgari, Bauman oversaw accounting for Ford, Bacon and Davis, an industrial engineering company in Atlanta.

Movado Group has promoted Karen Friedman to general manager of its Coach Watch division. Friedman, who previously was vice president of sales, assumes the position formerly held by Jon Step, who has been appointed president of Tommy Hilfiger Watch, which Movado will launch in spring 2001.

Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company has promoted Scott Hewitt, CPCU, to assistant vice president, commercial underwriting. Also, Connie Rank-Smith, SPHR, CEBS, vice president, human resources, has earned fellowship standing in the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists (ISCEBS). Hewitt, who joined the company in 1999 as commercial underwriting manager, will oversee the underwriters and underwriting assistants at Jewelers Mutual. Rank-Smith, who joined Jewelers Mutual in 1992, earned fellowship standing in ISCEBS by completing a national employee benefits continuing education course developed by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

John J. Alves Jr. has been named vice president of sales for Triad Inc. (d.b.a. Royal Findings). His responsibilities include sales, marketing, trade show participation, and development of new products or applications. He joined Triad in 1997.

Baccarat Inc. has appointed Dana Glazer Gers to the position of vice president of marketing and public relations. Gers will be responsible for managing marketing, advertising, media liaison, and special events for the U.S. affiliate of the French-based luxury crystal company. Most recently Gers was vice president of marketing for Odaddy.com. Previously, Gers served as vice president, global public relations for Movado Group Inc. Prior to Movado, Gers was director of public relations for Guerlain Inc., the French beauty company.

LJ International Inc. has appointed Michael Gilburd to the newly created position of vice president, corporate development. He will be responsible for spearheading and managing the company’s efforts in mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, and related corporate finance matters. Gilburd previously served as chairman and CEO of Earnhardt Co. Inc., an investment banking and securities firm.

Lyle Wienick has been appointed president of Roven Dino Swiss Company. Previously he was managing director for Piaget Watch Company. Wienick also served as senior vice president of sales with the Movado Group for Piaget and Corum watches.

Sterling Jewelers Inc. has promoted Dave Everton and Barry Fernholz. Everton will be vice president of regional operations for the Jared division. Before joining Sterling’s management team in 1997, he held various positions at Barry’s Jewelers, including assistant manager, store manager, and vice president of operations. Fernholz will serve as vice president of regional operations for the Southwest region, encompassing North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, and Alabama. He joined Sterling in 1990 and has served as assistant manager, store manager, and district manager.

Margaret Siegel has been named vice president, watches and fine jewelry, for Chanel Inc. Most recently, Siegel served as president of Baume & Mercier. Prior to that she was vice president, international, at Coach Leatherwear, and before that she was vice president, watch merchandising, at Tiffany, and president of the Tiffany Swiss Watch Center S.A.

Ross-Simons has appointed Mark Eilers as manager of its recently opened Northbrook, Ill., store, located in Northbrook Court. Eilers previously served as manager of several Bailey Banks & Biddle stores in the Chicago and Milwaukee areas.