Headlines

CEO of Major Jewelry Chain to Retire; New Chief Named

The president and COO has been promoted.

Published

5 years ago

November 13, 2018

INSTORE Staff

CEO of Major Jewelry Chain to Retire; New Chief Named

Ed Bridge and Lisa Bridge.

SEATTLE, WA – Ben Bridge Jeweler, which has 95 stores in 11 states and one Canadian province, announced that Chairman and CEO Ed Bridge is retiring effective Jan. 31, 2019.

Current President and Chief Operating Officer Lisa Bridge has accepted a promotion to president and CEO. Having served as the first female president of Ben Bridge Jeweler, Lisa Bridge will now continue her service as the fifth generation to run the company.

According to a press release from the company: “Upon retirement, Ed Bridge will leave behind a 45-year legacy of honor, leadership and achievement including serving as chair of Jewelers of America and Jewelers For Children, board member of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee and the Jewelry Information Center, VP of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and chair of the Seattle Victims Fund, board member of both the University of Washington Hillel and Tyee Club.”

He has been the recipient of the AGS Lifetime Achievement Award and numerous other honors, including being inducted into the National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame, according to the release.

“It has been an honor and privilege working with our associates to create incredible moments and touch the lives of so many customers,” Ed Bridge said. “I cherish the relationships I have with our team and the treasured friendships with our many industry partners. I feel thankful to have had the best mentors and bosses one could ask for in my father Bob Bridge, my uncle Herb Bridge and Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO Warren Buffett. I had the pleasure of working with my cousin Jon Bridge as my partner for 28 years before he retired last year. It brings me great joy to know the company will be in such capable hands.

“Lisa will surely propel the business into its next phase and a bright future.”

Lisa Bridge said: “I am endlessly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from Ed and the generations before me. They have been generous with their wisdom and perspective and will continue to be an inspiration. I am humbled to be stepping in to this role, and I am excited to build a bright future with our incredible team. My mission as CEO is to help our customers celebrate wonderfully meaningful and joyful moments in their lives through the power of jewelry.”

click to Comment(Comment)

Up Next

‘Pink Legacy’ Diamond Sells for $50M, Setting Per-Carat Price Record

Don't Miss

Jewelry Company Goes Public with Unusual Pricing Model

INSTORE Staff

Over the years, INSTORE has won 80 international journalism awards for its publication and website. Contact INSTORE's editors at editor@instoremag.com.

When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”