NICHE HONORS FIRST LADY, CURATOR
The Rosen Group Inc., publisher of NICHE magazine for American craft retailers, selected Hillary Rodham Clinton to receive the 1996 NICHE Humanitarian of the Year Award.
“The first lady is being honored for her dedication to establishing The White House Crafts Collection as well as for her avid interest in bringing handcrafted ornaments to the White House during the Christmas season,” says Wendy Rosen, publisher of the magazine. “These efforts have served to increase the public’s awareness of how crafts can delight our eyes, nourish our souls and promote the economic vitality of every town and city in our country.”
The White House Crafts Collection is an ensemble of works by the nation’s top craft artists. It is considered a culmination of Clinton’s efforts to celebrate the year of craft, decreed before her arrival in the White House by a joint resolution of Congress and a presidential proclamation.
Rosen also announced that Michael Wesley Monroe will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for his continued support of contemporary crafts and the arenas in which they are created and displayed. Monroe formerly was curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery, an arm of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American Art in Washington, D.C. He recently left the Renwick after 21 years to become curator-in-charge of the Peter Joseph Gallery in Manhattan, which specializes in furniture.
Both awards were to be presented at a ceremony during the Buyers Market of American Craft, held Feb. 9-12 in the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pa.
GORDON BROTHERS NAMES SALESMAN OF THE YEAR
Stephen Sherman was named Salesman of the Year at Gordon Brothers, Boston, Mass., at the company’s national sales conference in January. It was the fourth time he received the award.
Sherman, who recorded the highest sales volume in the company’s history, also received the company’s Sales Excellence Award and its national Sales Achievement Award.
Regional Sales Achievement Awards were presented to Dan Dye (East Coast) and Vernon Oehlsen (West Coast).
Dominic Mainella received the Road Sales Award, and Dan Haney won the Big-Hitter Award, which recognizes opening large-volume accounts.
SERVICE AND HONORS
Warren J. McElroy celebrated 50 years of service with Barnett Davis Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa. After serving with the First Marine division in Guadalcanal during World War II, McElroy was hired as a salesman to cover the southern states. He was promoted to management during the 1960s and became president in 1984. He continues to lead the company and covers the New York State sales territory.
Eugene E. Bertolli was inducted into the Meridian (Conn.) Hall of Fame. A sculptor, goldsmith and silversmith, he has designed a major portion of the Napier jewelry and giftware lines and also serves as head of design, senior vice president and director of Napier Co., New York City.
W.K. Ho, founder and chairman of the Jewelry Trade Center in Bangkok, Thailand, was knighted in Belgium’s “Order of the Crown.” Ho was honored for his efforts to boost trade between the two countries.
Carlyle & Co. Jewelers honored three employees at corporate headquarters in Greensboro, N.C. Johanna Trotter, senior diamond buyer, received the William E. Thunberg PMA Award, named for the company’s vice president who died last year and who epitomized “positive mental attitude” in his leadership in the jewelry industry. Darlene Hutchens, administrative assistant to Co-Chief Executive Russell Cohen, and Jane Guest, receiving associate in the distribution department, shared the Ned W. Cohen PMA Award. This award, named in memory of the company’s founder, recognizes cooperative work with other departments.
APPOINTMENTS
Egana of Switzerland, New York City, the fifth largest manufacturer of quartz analog watches worldwide, hired three people to oversee two of its licensed watch brands. Marsha Weissman was appointed director of sales for the Nicole Miller Time collection. She is responsible for assembling a national sales force, handling key accounts and working on product development. Jackie Powers was appointed product manager for Esprit Timewear. Her responsibilities include forecast and sales analysis and inventory management. Jess Hemmendinger was appointed director of sales for Esprit Timewear. He manages all aspects of sales, including the establishment of a national sales force.
B.A. Ballou & Co., East Providence, R.I., named Richard A. Lembo general manager/international. In this new position, he is responsible for all manufacturing operations and sales/marketing activities outside of North America. Also at B.A. Ballou, Jean L. Poole was named product director of the Emblematic line. Her responsibilities include sales, marketing and product development.
Harry Winston Inc., New York City, appointed Nancy Bothamley director of U.S. sales. She worked at Cartier New York from 1976 to 1986 and then at Marina B as vice president of sales.
Columbia Diamond Ring, Bethel, Conn., appointed Jeff, Peter and Gary Buckley and Dennis Reed to its sales force. Their territories: Jeff Buckley, metropolitan New York and New Jersey; Peter Buckley, upstate New York, northwestern Pennsylvania and the Cleveland, Ohio, area; Gary Buckley, New England; and Dennis Reed, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and most of Ohio.
Helzberg Diamonds, North Kansas City, Mo., promoted J. Kevin Fitzpatrick from vice president of administration to senior vice president of stores and human resources.
Asch/Grossbardt Inc., New York City, added three people to its sales team: Michael S. Goldhagen, Midwest territories; Michael Chrisafis, New England and Mid-Atlantic states; and Rick Pittenger, 11 western states. Pittenger also represents I.B. Goodman Co. in the same territory. Previously, Goldhagen was with Kabana Inc. and Chrisafis was with Gregg Ruth & Co.
Eileen Fahy of Peter Brams Ltd., New York City, was promoted from senior account executive to sales manager.
RETIREMENT
William K. Hood, 72, retired as chief executive officer of Harlyn Products Inc. Dec. 30. Hood, who has been chief executive officer since 1989, will continue as a director.
OBITUARIES
Alvis F. Washington, 82, of Earle, Ark., retired owner and operator of Washington Jewelry in Earle, died Dec. 8.
Aletha Nalls Roberts, 81, of Dallas, Tex., died Dec. 15. She was in the jewelry business for more than 30 years as owner-operator of Roberts Wynnewood Jewelers and later showroom manager-salesperson for Barnes Imports, a wholesale jeweler in the Apparel Mart in Dallas.
Glen Childress, 85, of Dyersburg, Tenn., retired owner of Lewis Jewelry Store in Dyersburg, died Oct. 31.