MJSA NAMES NEW OFFICIAL
Tom Keller, former president of Swarovski Jewelry, has been named director of membership and development at the 1,800-member Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America.
Keller has more than 20 years’ management experience in the jewelry industry. In addition to his Swarovski post, he has been vice president of sales and marketing for Speidel and vice president of sales for Seiko. For the last three years, he has run a jewelry industry consulting business. Last year, he developed a licensing program for the United States Historical Society incorporating the society’s registered Double Eagle Third Millennium symbol, bringing together the jewelry, collectibles, apparel, and accessory industries.
At MJSA, his duties will include developing and maintaining member benefits, managing the membership staff, and implementing membership-growth campaigns.
JCK TO HANDLE SHOWS AT AGS CONCLAVE
JCK/Reed Exhibition Co. will manage the 1999 Suppliers Show and Computer/Technology Show offered in conjunction with the American Gem Society’s New Orleans Conclave, taking place April 7-11. JCK/Reed will handle promotion, solicit and secure booths, and coordinate all aspects of the two shows.
According to AGS executive vice president Robert Bridel, JCK/Reed’s involvement in the Suppliers Show is expected to result in an increase from 64 to 100 booths.
Nine hundred AGS members are expected to attend the 1999 Conclave. This year’s theme is “Designing Your Profits.”
For information, call AGS at (702) 255-6500.
HISTORIANS HAVE NEW ADDRESS
The American Society of Jewelry Historians has a new address. The society may now be reached at Box 103, 1333A North Ave., New Rochelle, NY 10804.
CJA HONORS RON HARDER
The Consolidated Jewelers Association of Greater New York honored Ron Harder, president and CEO of Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co., in October at a dinner dance at Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadow Park, N.Y.
The event paid tribute to Harder’s work in loss prevention and his success in running his company. John Kennedy of the Jewelers Security Alliance spoke about Harder’s efforts on behalf of JSA as a member of its board of directors.
Leonard Mailman, national sales manager of Studex who is celebrating 60 years in the jewelry industry, was also honored at the dinner dance. The evening benefited the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Metro New York.
GIA WORLD HEADQUARTERS RECEIVES $200,000 DONATION
The Gemological Institute of America’s New World Headquarters Campaign has received a $200,000 donation from Premier Gems and Premier Diamond, subdivisions of The Premier in Bangkok, Thailand. In recognition of the pledge, the grand entrance of GIA’s 18-acre world headquarters and the Robert Mouawad Campus in Carlsbad, Calif., has been named the “Premier Gems and Premier Diamond Entranceway.”
GIA’s New World Headquarters Campaign offers individual and corporate sponsors the opportunity to permanently associate their names with GIA through contributions to the institute’s new facilities. The naming of the entranceway honors Vichit Durongkapitaya, president of The Premier, whose father founded the business originally known as Bay Chin Teck Co. Ltd. in 1905 in Huamed, Bangkok.