Craig Selimotic Danforth will become vice president of client solutions at Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group on Jan. 28.

Danforth most recently served as director, global business development, at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). He first joined GIA in 2008, first serving as director of sales, before moving on to global development in 2012.

He also served as senior director, training and development, at Cartier, and director of training at David Yurman.

Danforth will help develop Jewelers Mutual’s core offerings and expand its emerging businesses.

He is on the board of directors for the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA), is a member of Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California, and also serves on the scholarship committee for the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States.

“Craig’s experience in the industry makes him an ideal candidate for this role,” said Mike Alexander, senior vice president of commercial lines for the Neenah, Wis.–based insurer, in a statement. “We will work together to enhance our current offerings and develop new opportunities to strengthen and grow the jewelry industry.”

Danforth completed his B.A. at Hamilton College, his MBA at ESSEC Business School in France, and has several diplomas from GIA including Graduate Diamonds, Graduate Pearls, and Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP).

In August, Jewelers Mutual acquired shipper TransGuardian.

(Image courtesy of Jewelers Mutual)

Rob Bates

JCK News Director