Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America has voted to expand its membership to include international jewelry manufacturers and suppliers. The expansion came as an amendment to the MJSA bylaws, which previously did not allow a foreign company to become an MJSA member. The decision was made during the organization’s 97th annual meeting, held Oct. 19 at the Biltmore Hotel in Providence, R.I.

MJSA has received hundreds of international membership inquiries within the last six months, says MJSA president and CEO James F. Marquart. New international members can take advantage of MJSA programs and services.

Also at the annual meeting, Babette Goodman-Cohen of I.B. Goodman Manufacturing Company was elected the first woman chairperson in MJSA’s 97-year history. She takes over from Peter Fuller, president of Fuller Box Company. Fuller served as chairman for two years.

MJSA members also elected two new members to the board of directors. They are Reinhard Mackinger of Swarovski Crystal Components Ltd. and Richard V. Powers of Stern-Leach Co. Board officers were also elected. Curtis A. Ley of B.A. Ballou & Co. was elected as first vice chair; Robert J. Wueste of Samuel Aaron International was elected as second vice chair; Gary Solomon of Princess Pride creations was re-elected as secretary; and Michael Akkaoui of Tanury Industries was re-elected as treasurer. Matthew Stuller of Stuller and Phyllis Bergman of Mercury Ring Corp. were re-elected as board directors.