BLUM RETIRES AS BARRY’S CHAIRMAN
David Blum has retired from the chairmanship of Barry’s Jewelers, Monrovia, Cal. Blum, who cofounded the business with Gerson Fox in 1956, will retain a seat on the board of directors.
“David Blum directed Barry’s growth from a one-store operation in 1956 to the nation’s fourth-largest jewelry retailer,” says President Terry Burman. “Although David will no longer be active in Barry’s day-to-day business activities, we will continue to benefit from his expertise through his participation on our board.”
Blum, 74, had served as chairman since 1982.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE CHOOSES TWO HONOREES
The Jewelry Division of the National Conference of Christians and Jews will hold its annual dinner Dec. 5 at the Hotel Pierre in New York, N.Y.
At the dinner, the division will honor James Lazarus, president of L&R Manufacturing, Kearny, N.J., and Michael Barlerin, chief executive officer of the World Gold Council, New York, N.Y. They were chosen for their commitment to the industry, the community and humanitarian causes.
The National Conference of Christians and Jews, founded in 1927, is a human relations organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry and racism in America. It promotes understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution and education.
National Conference of Christians and Jews, 71 Fifth Ave., Suite 1150, New York, N.Y. 10003; (212) 807-8440, fax (212) 727-0166.
GIA’S FOLTZ HONORED
The Distance Education and Training Council named Dennis Foltz, GIA vice president of education, the recipient of its Distinguished Service Award during an awards luncheon at DETC’s annual convention. Mark Mann, GIA deputy manager of on-campus eduction, accepted the award for Foltz, who was unable to attend the ceremony. Foltz has pioneered many educational and administrative programs at GIA, including the corporate training division, course development and information technology. He oversaw the revision of GIA’s Graduate Gemologist program in the 1980s and has long been active in DETC.
DPS CHANGES STAFF
N.W. Ayer’s Diamond Promotion Service recently announced several key staff changes. Betsey Irwin, regional director for metropolitan New York, retired after 38 years of service. Irwin worked her way through the ranks on N.W. Ayer’s De Beers account, beginning with the Diamond Information Center before moving to DPS. She has received many awards, including the New Jersey Jewelers Association Person of the Year award, the New York State Jewelers Association Special Achievement and Salesperson of the Year awards, the Women’s Jewelry Association’s Award for Excellence in Promotion and the Consolidated Jewelers Association’s Sales Associate of the Year Award. Alan Master, training/education director for the Western region, also retired. He developed audience participation programs, workshops and materials designed to further the sale of diamond jewelry by manufacturers and retailers. Michele Gravelle replaced Master and will share responsibilities with David Morrow as director of training and education at DPS. She was formerly the Northeast regional director of the DPS Field Force and has nearly 15 years of experience with retail jewelers.
APPOINTMENTS
Rod Candelori was named vice president of sales for the West Coast at Nili Jewelry Corp., New York, N.Y. He worked previously for Bulova and Unigem International.
Mary Anne Deis was named director of administration at Dorinda’s Memories, Beavercreek, Ohio. She was formerly the company’s office manager.
John Gonsalves joined the technical sales staff of Eisinger Enterprises, Newark, N.J. He has worked in various capacities in the jewelry industry, including as production caster.
IWI Holding Ltd., Westmont, Ill., named two executives to newly created outside director positions on its board. They are James W. Pierpont, executive vice president and director of corporate finance for Dain Bosworth Inc. in Minneapolis, Minn., and Jack Reiff, retired chairman and chief executive officer of William Schneider Inc., Miami, Fla.
Chard Radaker was named vice president of product development at Peter Brams Ltd., New York, N.Y. She is a former sales manager at Crystal Legends and previously was account vice president at Peter Brams.
OBITUARIES
Bert Edises, owner of Edises Jewelers, Stockton, Cal., recently died of leukemia. He was a past president of the California Jewelers Association and member of the Jewelers 24-Karat Club of Southern California. He opened his own business in 1953 after working in his father’s store in Stockton.