Board of directors also announced.
Scott Berg
The American Gem Society has elected Scott Berg, certified gemologist of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry in Baton Rouge, LA, as president of the Society’s board of directors. He will assume the role from outgoing president, Louis Smith of Smithworks Fine Jewelry. The appointment was made during the Society’s annual Conclave in Washington, D.C. on April 16.
Berg will hold the role of president for two years, until April 2018. “I am honored to take the helm of the American Gem Society,” says Berg. “In the ever-increasing, fast-paced modern world, ethics, transparency and consumer protection are all the more important. We must be vigilant as a collective industry in adhering to the strictest code of ethics to ensure consumer confidence in our product and our people.”
“Scott is sure to be a dynamic and effective president,” says Ruth Batson, CEO of AGS and AGS Laboratories. “He has been a wonderful asset to the AGS and is a highly respected leader in the jewelry industry. We thank Louis for all of his hard work and dedication, and we look forward to Scott’s leadership.”
AGS also announced its 2016 board of directors.
Executive Committee:
- President Elect: John Carter, CGA – Jack Lewis Jewelers
- Secretary: Michael Richards, CG – Underwood Jewelers
- Sr. Advisor: Georgie Gleim, CG – Gleim the Jeweler
- Treasurer: Frank Brown, RJ – Brown & Company Jewelers
Committee Chairs:
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- AGS Lab Board of Advisors, Clayton Bromberg, CG – Underwood Jewelers
- Conclave Sub-Committee, John Carter, CGA – Jack Lewis Jewelers
- International Guilds Council, Marc Altman, CGA – B & E Jewelers and Gemologist
- Gemological Sciences Committee, Michael Richards, CG – Underwood Jewelers
- Education Committee, Lisa Bridge, CG – Ben Bridge Jeweler
- Marketing Committee, Scott Udell – London Jewelers
- Membership Committee and Grievance & Review, Kelly Newton – Newton’s Jewelers
Directors-at-Large:
- Joel Hassler, CGA – Rasmussen Diamonds
- Scott Murphy – Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company
- Alexis Padis, CGA – Padis Jewelry
- Beryl Raff – Helzberg Diamonds
- Ronnie VanderLinden – Diamex Inc.
- Yancy Weinrich – Reed Jewelry Group
- Stewart Wicht – Rolex Watch U.S.A. Inc.
Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless
When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time.
"We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them.
Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."
