The American Gem Society awarded Charles and Ellen Lacy, owners of Lacy & Co., its 2009 Robert M. Shipley Award, the Society’s highest honor, for their lifetime of service to AGS. The Lacys not only received the surprise of the award but also were unexpectedly greeted by their two children and five grandchildren, ages four through nine, who flew in for the event. “Charles and I were floored,” Ellen Lacy tells JCK. As a bonus, Lacy skipped classes that day and spent the afternoon with her grandchildren at the Willis Tower.

Coming Going

Strategist and planner Charlotte Preston, president of Charlotte Preston Catalysts, has launched The Catalytic Board, comprising jewelry industry analyst Ken Gassman, independent retailer Kathy Sustachek, and Preston. The board works with retailers to review goals. For information, e-mail: getsitdone@aol.com.

Randy McCullough has resigned as chairman of Gitanjali USA, owner of the Samuels and Rogers chains. Gitanjali chairman Mehul Choksi is now also chairman of Gitanjali USA, and the company has also promoted David Dellaglio to chief operating officer.

Jewelry Brands has named Lyle M. Rose president. Jewelry Brands, based in Beverly Hills, Calif., is a consulting firm specializing in marketing, e-commerce solutions, and licensing opportunities for jewelry companies.

Vacheron Constantin has named Hugues de Pins as president of Vacheron Constantin North America. He replaces Julien Tornare, who was promoted to worldwide sales director of Vacheron Constantin Intl.

William Farmer, Farmer’s Jewelers, Lexington, Ky., was reappointed to a second term as chair of the board the Jewelers of America‘s Political Action Committee.

Finlay Enterprises announced that Joseph M. Melvin, its executive vice president and chief operating officer, as well as Leslie A. Philip, its executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, are retiring. Finlay also promoted Karin Knudsen to executive vice president of merchandising and marketing.

Gail Kenny joined A. Jaffe as Midwest sales manager. Kenny has more than 25 years of experience in the jewelry industry, including a 10-year stint as regional sales director at Tag Heuer.

Richard Kasdin has been appointed sales representative for Sarah Graham Metalsmithing in San Francisco. Kasdin also represents Alex Sepkus and Codiam Diamonds.

Courts

Bradley Stinn, the former chief executive officer of now-defunct Friedman’s Jewelers and its affiliate, Crescent Jewelers, was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment for securities fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Stinn was convicted March 24, 2008, following a six-week trial.

Honored

The Women’s Jewelry Association plans to honor fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg with its 2009 Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement award and Matt Runci with its 2009 Ben Kaiser Award. The awards will be held July 27 at Pier 60 in New York.

Remembered

Simcha Lustig, of Lustig and Samuels and the former chairman of the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies, died recently. Confined to a wheelchair due to his military service, Lustig set up one of Israel’s first polishing factories and eventually become a DTC sightholder.

Richard Hambro, the longtime chairman of I Hennig and Co., the noted De Beers diamond broker, died recently at the age of 62. Hambro was the third generation of his family in the diamond industry. He was appointed chairman of Hennig in 1982 and served as chairman until he died.

Joseph Falco Sr., founder of Rose City Jewelers and Gemologists, Madison, N.J., died April 24 at age 89. His store celebrated its 60th anniversary last year.