GIA FILLS NEW COO POST
Wayne Pierce has been named to the newly created position of chief operations officer at the Gemological Institute of America. Previously, he was an executive at Steelcase Inc., a manufacturer of office environments, most recently as president of the Western Michigan Learning Initiative, a public- and private-sector coalition for training and development of the regional work force.
At GIA, his responsibilities will include information technology, human resources, facilities, and the Richard T. Liddicoat Library and Information Center.
APPOINTMENTS
Golden State International, a watch manufacturer and distributor in Oakland, Calif., has made three appointments. Wayne Sirota, formerly director of sales for Callanen International/Timex Corp., has been named vice president of sales, overseeing all department store business for the company and its brands. Nicole Lieberman-Huseby, who previously was product manager for Skagen Designs Ltd., has been appointed to the newly created position of product manager/designer. Ammecy McNally, formerly a manager and buyer for a specialty retailer in Los Angeles, has been named marketing and licensing coordinator at GCI.
The Colibri Group, Providence, R.I., has added two members to its sales team. Terry Coleman has been named vice president of sales for Colibri of London, Colibri’s lighter division. Previously, he was national sales manager for Prometheus Lighters of Southern California. Steven Kelly is the new vice president of sales for Linden Clocks. Prior to his appointment, he was regional vice president at Bulova.
Shaye Strager is the new director of media relations for Linda Goldstein Public Relations, New York. She was formerly media liaison at the Jewelry Information Center, a position that involved traveling to major cities, appearing on television and radio, and serving as an expert on jewelry trends. In her new role, she will continue to promote fine jewelry and accessories as a jewelry stylist and trends forecaster.
The Movado Group, New York, has made three appointments. Wendy Gertner, formerly managing research director at the Gallup Organization, is the new director of global market research and insights. Mary A. Leach has been named to the newly created position of vice president, global advertising. Prior to her appointment, she was senior vice president at Bates Worldwide and vice president/account director at Mezzina/Brown Inc. Deborah M. Kostin has joined the company as senior manager of Internet strategy. Previously, she worked with Goldman Sachs & Co. and Gap Inc.
Clark W. Carey has joined Voguestrap, Long Island City, N.Y., the exclusive licensee of Timex-branded replacement straps and bands, as executive vice president, sales and marketing. Carey spent 32 years at Timex Corp., where he was vice president of sales and marketing for the Acqua brand.
Bill Strange has been appointed as the Indiana sales representative for Belmont Metals Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y. Since 1988, he has been a self-employed manufacturer’s representative with experience in ferrous and non-ferrous metals as well as fabricated products.
Anne H. Driscoll has been hired as Internet marketing director at Ross-Simons, a Cranston, R.I.-based retailer of fine jewelry, tableware, home furnishings, and accessories. Previously, she was direct mail manager of advertising and sales promotion at Filene’s.
Marie Gordon has been named senior account executive at Volita Inc., a Franklin Lakes, N.J., pearl importer and manufacturer. She has 15 years’ experience as a customer service and sales representative. At Volita, her responsibilities include directing telephone sales and customer service for clients nationwide.
OBITUARIES
Joseph T. Orlando, 79, founding partner and president of the former Orlando Jewelry Manufacturing Co., Buffalo, N.Y., died Sept. 16 of complications from a long illness. Orlando Jewelry supplied finished jewelry to major wholesalers and castings to major manufacturers (through its Electro Cast division) throughout the United States from 1947 to 1984.
Antranik “Anthony” Gurdjian, 94, formerly of Providence, R.I., died Aug. 23. In 1925, he and his late brothers, Fred Vahe and George Zareh Gurdhian, founded the American Co-Operative Jewelry Manufacturing Co., a manufacturer of fine rhinestone jewelry. Born in Istanbul, Turkey, he moved to the United States in 1920. He served in the Army during World War II as a translator stationed in Iran. He and his brothers closed their company to serve in the war. He retired in 1959.
John Clausel, 81, a watchmaker with Clausel Brothers Jewelry and Sporting Goods, Corinth, Miss., died of heart failure Sept. 27. He was a World War II Army veteran.
Jeweler Robert Dwain Benson, 76, died of cancer Oct. 23 in Brandon, Miss.
Charles Bernard Perdue, 71, of Baton Rouge, La., a retired jeweler and watchmaker, died Oct. 26. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran.
Lema Gilbert, 85, a retired sales associate for Bromberg Jewelry Co. in Huntsville, Ala., died of heart failure Nov. 9.
Sylvain J. Fishman, 92, retired general manager for Kay Jewelry Co., died of heart failure Nov. 14 in Jackson, Miss.
Norman J. Augustine Sr., 86, of New Orleans, a retired shipping clerk at Imperial Jewelry Co., died Nov. 14.
GIA ALUMNI OFFICIAL FOUND DEAD IN STORE
San Bernardino, Calif., jeweler Marshall Adams, 74, a popular local businessman and president of the California Inland Empire Chapter of the Gemological Institute of America’s Alumni and Associates, was found dead in his store on Dec. 2. He was apparently the victim of a robbery, say police. The specific cause of death was still pending at press time.
Adams had been a jeweler for 25 years, as well as a teacher for 25 years in the local school district. His store, Marshall Adams Jeweler in the Highland Plaza Shopping Center, operated on an appointment-only basis. Police were called to the shop after Adams failed to answer the door for a customer with whom he had an appointment. The jeweler’s body was found inside. The safe was open and empty. At press time, no arrests had been made.
Patrick Ball, director of alumni and associate relations at GIA, who knew Adams, expressed shock at his death. “He was a consummate professional and a caring person who always put the needs of others before his own,” Ball said.
The GIA California Inland Empire Alumni chapter has set up a scholarship in Adams’s name. Information about the scholarship or donations is available from Rosemarie Evans, G.J., chapter scholarship chairwoman, at (909) 864-2607, or through the GIA Alumni and Associates headquarters, (800) 421-7250, Ext. 4155.—William George Shuster