(PRESS RELEASE) The Jewelers for Children has completed its annual board of directors elections and has named two new directors and re-elected 17. Debra Puzio, founder and creative director of StarLuxe Branding LLC, will continue as board chair accompanied by all current officers for the year 2020-21.
Officers re-elected for one-year terms are John White, Balfour, vice-president for charity programs; Jeffrey Cohen, Citizen Watch America, vice-president for fundraising; Howard Hauben, H2 Events/Centurion Jewelry Show, vice-president for special programs; Alan Zimmer, Reeds Jewelers, vice-president marketing and public relations; Bill Luth, Signet Jewelers Ltd., secretary; and Charles Stanley, Forevermark USA, treasurer. Pam Mortensen, J.C. Penney, continues as immediate past chair and chair of the nominating committee.
“Serving as board chair through this very challenging year has truly shown me just how beloved Jewelers for Children is in our great industry,” said Puzio. “The support from our donors has been amazing helping to ensure we will be helping children in need for many years to come.”
Brittney Zimmer of Reeds Jewelers in Wilmington, NC, and Gus Garcia of Bottom Line Marketing with offices in Michigan, Colorado and Florida were both elected to three-year terms as directors.
Twelve directors completed three-year terms and were re-elected to additional three-year terms. They are Debbie Azar, Gemological Science International; Chad Berg, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry; Katherine Bodoh, American Gem Society; Catherine Coquillard, Coquillard Consulting; Jack Gabriel, Gabriel & Co.; Mark Goldberg, Rolex Watch USA; Steven Kaiser, Kaiser Time; Sally Morrison, De Beers; Birain Parikh, Rosy Blue; Steven Vardi, Steven Vardi Inc.; and Steven Velasquez, American Exchange Group.
Five directors whose terms were up were asked to remain on the board for one additional year in light of the current situation created by the pandemic. They are Benny Hematian, Effy Group; Ezriel Rapaport, Rapaport; Elliot Tannenbaum, Leo Schachter Diamonds; Suzanne Adams, Assurant; and Eric Zuckerman, PAC Team Group.
“Having their support and input was determined to be too valuable during this time,” added Puzio.
All current terms began on Oct. 1, coinciding with the organization’s fiscal year.