Last weekend, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) and Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) handed out honors to industry members who fulfill the groups’ respective missions.
On March 18, at its annual luncheon at the InterContinental Barclay, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee gave out its Stanley Schechter Award to Jeffrey Fischer (pictured), head of Fischer Diamonds. Fischer formerly headed the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) and its U.S. affiliate, the Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association of America (DMIA).
Fischer has been a board member of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee for over 20 years, and served as its chairman from 2012 to 2014. He continues to serve on the JVC executive committee as secretary.
The Stanley Schechter Award is given out to individuals who uphold industry ethics. Introducing Fischer, Joel Schechter, son of the award’s namesake, noted that Fischer often spends his spare time “fixing” things, and that has informed Fischer’s approach to leadership.
In his speech, Fischer thanked his family for allowing him to spend so much time working on issues of importance to the industry and his company.
The luncheon’s featured guest was Ambassador James C. O’Brien, head of the U.S. Office of Sanctions Coordination. His remarks are summarized here.
The following day, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance celebrated its 140th anniversary at its annual luncheon at the New York Yacht Club.
JSA presented its 18th annual Industry Service Award to Stanley Oppenheim, the founder and CEO of DGA Security Systems, a supplier of alarm and security services to the diamond and jewelry industry.
Unfortunately, an illness prevented Oppenheim from attending the luncheon, though his family was there and accepted the award on his behalf.
JSA president John Kennedy said in his introduction that this was the first time that his group had presented its industry service award to a supplier of security products, as it generally doesn’t like to promote a particular product or service.
However, he said, it was making an exception for Oppenheim, who has “always given generously of his time” to JSA and the jewelry industry.
JSA also presented its 24th Annual James B. White Law Enforcement Award to Joseph Metsopulos, a detective with the Major Case Squad of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Metsopulos has been with the NYPD for 18 years, and is currently the liaison of the Major Case Squad to the New York Diamond District.
In the past five years, Metsopulos has investigated over 250 diamond and jewelry cases, arrested and successfully prosecuted over 60 jewelry criminals, and recovered millions in stolen diamonds, jewelry, and watches.
Photo courtesy of Jewelers Vigilance Committee
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