(PRESS RELEASE) SOUTHPORT, CT — Five retail members have been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) for a three-year term beginning January 1st, according to an announcement by IJO President and CEO Jeff Roberts. The board is composed of ten retail and three vendor members. Newly selected retailers are Barbara Binkley of Cooper & Binkley Jewelers in Brighton, MI, Kari Johnson Smith of Champaign Jewelers in Champaign, IL, Janelle Mead of John Thomas Jewelers in Albuquerque, NM, Nathan Regan of Burnell’s Fine Jewelry & Design in Wichita, KS and Daniel Widmar of Rasmussen Jewelers in Racine, WI. The board position is to act as a liaison between the membership and IJO management, and to help form ideas for the betterment of the overall operation of IJO.
“We have a very dynamic Board of Directors in IJO, and their input is invaluable to the workings of this organization,” says Roberts. “These new appointees were chosen from among 650 retailers and 190 suppliers, which really says a lot about their leadership abilities. They all have been active, supportive members and have contributed strongly for a good number of years. I look forward to working with them in this new capacity.”
The new appointees will be serving with current board members Elena Davis, Towne Square Jewelers in Charleston, IL, Sherri Erickson, Erickson Jewelers in Iron Mountain, MI, Jim Messier, Arthur’s Jewelry in Bedford, VA, Travis Piper, Piper Diamond Company in Vincennes, IN, and Kelly Silva, House of Silva in Wooster, OH. They will be joining vendor members Craig MacBean of Ostbye in Minneapolis, MN, Jeff Wynkoop of Quality Gold in Fairfield, OH, and Kyle Pancis of Pancis Gems in Morris Plains, NJ.
Leaving the board after three years of dedicated service are Linda Horrell, Mar Bill Diamonds & Jewelry, Belle Vernon, PA, Steve Rumanoff, Rumanoff Fine Jewelry & Design, Hamden, CT, Seth Shipley, Shipley’s Fine Jewelry, Hampstead, MD, Billy Smith, Smith Jewelers, Franklin, VA and Jim Steen, Morris Jewelry, Bowling Green, KY. “These outgoing board members have provided outstanding service to the IJO family,” continues Roberts. “Their expertise, innovative ideas and incomparable communication skills have been a great asset to all in the organization, and I’m deeply grateful for their support.”
“I’m very excited and I thank Jeff for this opportunity,” says Kari Johnson Smith. “One thing that’s always impressed me is IJO listens to its members, and I’m happy to be in this position where I feel I can make a difference – help make things even better than they are.”
“Being associated with IJO represents integrity, quality and trust, and I’m proud to have been able to give back to this organization that has helped my business in so many ways,” outgoing board member Seth Shipley stated. “I’ll still attend all the conferences and I’ll always be there if anyone ever needs me. It truly has been an honor for me to have served.”
IJO is an elite jewelry buying group and service organization whose sole purpose is to help its members work smarter to increase sales and profits and successfully compete in their marketplace. IJO will begin its 50th Anniversary celebration at its next conference March 12-15 in San Antonio. For information on membership in IJO go to www.ijo.com.