COMINGS AND GOINGS

Leslie Hindman ­Auctioneers has appointed Thomas Galbraith to be its new CEO, replacing founder Leslie ­Hindman. Galbraith ­previously served as interim CEO of Twyla, an online marketplace for art backed by Google Ventures.

Marvin Ellison, who served as chairman and CEO of J.C. Penney for nearly three years, has left the company to head Lowe’s. He will be replaced on an interim basis by four senior execs: chief financial officer Jeff Davis; ­executive vice president of stores and chief ­customer officer Joe ­McFarland; chief information officer and chief digital officer Therace Risch; and executive VP of supply chain Mike Robbins.

Sylvie Ritter, who has served as managing director of the Baselworld watch and jewelry show since 2004, is stepping down from her position at the fair’s owner, MCH Group. She will be succeeded by Michel Loris-Melikoff, head of a local trade fair.

Paul Bosma, a geologist and De Beers veteran, has been named CEO of Firestone Diamonds, the London-based diamond mining company. Bosma replaces Stuart Brown, another De Beers veteran, who is now president and CEO of ­Mountain ­Province Diamonds.

Four-store Arkansas-based jeweler Sissy’s Log Cabin has promoted Lamar McCubbin to president. He has worked at the retailer since 2014.

Auction house Phillips, along with partner Bacs & Russo, has appointed James Marks international watch specialist. He ­previously worked for 17 years in finance. Phillips has also appointed Eva Violante senior specialist and vice president in its New York City jewelry department. She comes to the London-based Phillips from Heritage Auctions, where she served as fine jewelry director.

Sergey Takhiev has been appointed head of corporate finance of Alrosa, the Russian diamond miner. He was previously director of investor relations at NLMK Group, the global steel company.

Alain Delamuraz is leaving his position as vice president and head of marketing at Swatch-owned watchmaker Blancpain after 20 years with the brand.

Swiss watch brand Ulysse Nardin named François-Xavier Hotier ­president of Ulysse ­Nardin Americas. He previously worked for TAG Heuer.

Spence Diamonds has named Frank Hamlin its first-ever chief marketing officer. Hamlin joins the retailer from Tailored Brands, the 1,500-store parent company of Men’s Wearhouse and JoS. A. Bank.

The Israel Diamond ­Institute, the Israeli promotional group, has appointed Aviel Elia ­managing director. He replaces Eli Avidar, who is becoming president of diamond cryptocurrency startup Carats.io.

Dominion Diamond Mines has appointed Rachel Aaron as its director of marketing, where she will promote its ­CanadaMark hallmark. She previously worked at lab-grown diamond company Diamond Foundry as well as watch brand Officine Panerai.

Pre-owned watch site WatchBox has tapped Patrik Hoffmann as executive vice president of the ­company’s Swiss division, Herbert Gautschi as vice president of business operations, and Susanne Hurni as the division’s vice president of marketing. All three are industry veterans.

Catherine Rénier has been named CEO of watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre. She was previously president of Van Cleef & Arpels, Asia Pacific.

 

REMEMBERED

Steffan Aletti, former president of the Jewelry Information Center and longtime editor of American Jewelry Manufacturer, died May 30 at 74.

Theodore “Ted” Blohm, longtime owner of Blohm Jewelers in Elko, Nev., died March 24 at his home. He was 91.

Camilla Dietz Bergeron, founder of an eponymous Madison Avenue estate jewelry boutique and copresident of the American Society of Jewelry Historians, died May 20 at 76.

Robert “Bob” G. DuBose, ­former owner of DuBose and Sons Jewelers in Vero Beach, Fla., and a local city councilman, died May 3 at 90.

HONORED

De Beers’ Stephen ­Lussier, Signet Jewelers’ David ­Bouffard, and the Diamond Council of America’s Terry Chandler will all be honored at this year’s American Gem Society Circle of Distinction dinner. The annual event will be held July 17 at the Plaza hotel in New York City.