Dave Meleski (pictured) is now the CEO of jewelry manufacturer Richline Group, the company announced yesterday.
Meleski succeeds Dennis Ulrich, the founder of Richline, who announced his retirement last month after 11 years heading the company.
In addition to his new role, Meleski will keep his current title as president of the Richline Group. Meleski is a longtime industry veteran who previously served as the CEO of Aurafin. He has been with Richline since its inception in 2007, after Berkshire Hathaway purchased Aurafin. He has also served as chairman of the Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA).
Along with Meleski’s new role, Richline announced other shifts in its executive ranks. Bobby Kempler will become president of the Richline jewelry division, a newly created role. Kempler joined Richline last year after it acquired the Samuel Aaron Group, where he was the CEO.
Alongside that, Ramona Genao-Archibald, who has worked for Richline for six years, will become Richline Jewelry’s executive vice president for sales and merchandising.
In addition, on Sept. 1, Michael Schwartz will become president of Inverness, the ear-piercing and accessories company that Richline purchased in 2012. Schwartz was previously Richline’s executive vice president of sales.
Schwartz takes over from Alan Kaufman, who is retiring on Dec. 31 and will assist in the transition.
The Richline Group comprises the following divisions: Richline Jewelry, Inverness, LeachGarner, and Rio Grande. It was founded in 2007 by Ulrich, the former head of Bel-Oro. In the years since, it has acquired 23 companies and is considered one of the largest jewelry manufacturers in the industry.
Shortly after he announced his retirement, Ulrich reminisced about the origins of Richline’s in an interview with JCK.
Richline is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, the Omaha, Neb.–based holding company chaired by Warren Buffett. Berkshire Hathaway also owns jewelry retailers Ben Bridge Jeweler, Borsheims, and Helzberg Diamonds.
(Image courtesy of the Richline Group)
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