(PRESS RELEASE) SOUTHPORT, CT — Six 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 Stephen Barnes, Barnes Jewelers, Goldsboro, NC, Cindi Haddad-Drew, Cindi’s Diamond & Jewelry Gallery, Foxboro, MA, Rick Sanders, Sanders Jewelers, Gainesville, FL, Tia Daniel, Conti Jewelers, Endwell, NY, Scott Stambaugh, Stambaugh Jewelers, Defiance, OH, and Joanne Osborne, Osborne Jewelers, Goodyear, AZ. Also joining the board is vendor member Brecken Farnsworth, Parle Jewelry Designs, Pocatello, ID. “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,” says Roberts.
“We have a very dynamic Board of Directors, and their input is invaluable to the workings of this organization, which has contributed to IJO becoming stronger than it’s ever been in its 50+ year history,” Roberts adds. “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 played a key role in this organization 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 Nathan Regan, Burnell’s Fine Jewelry, Wichita, KS, Kari Johnson Smith, Champaign Jewelers, Champaign, IL, Janelle Mead, Harris Jewelers, Rio Rancho, NM and Daniel Widmar, Rasmussen Diamonds, Racine, WI. They will be joining vendor members 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 Jim Messier, Arthur’s Jewelry, Bedford, VA, Sherri Erickson, Erickson Jewelers, Iron Mountain, MI, Kelly Silva, House of Silva, Wooster, OH, Travis Piper, Piper Diamond Company, Vincennes, IN, Barb Binkley, Cooper & Binkley Jewelers, Brighton, MI, Elena Davis, Towne Square Jewelers, Charleston, IL, and vendor member Craig MacBean of Ostbye. “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 Stephen Barnes. “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 Jim Messier 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 welcome these new board members at its next conference March 3-7 at the Orlando Marriott World Center. For information on membership in IJO go here.