(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK — Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, has elected a new Chair and Executive Committee, along with new Directors to its Board of Directors. The Directors were officially elected on October 2, 2023, at Jewelers of America’s annual general meeting (AGM) and the Executive Committee was elected on October 3, 2023, at the Board of Directors meeting.
Coleman Clark, President of BC Clark, was elected as Chair. The Executive Committee is as follows: Matthew Rosenheim of Tiny Jewel Box, Chair-Elect; Steve Padis of Padis Jewelers, Vice Chair; Elise Greenberg of Greenberg’s Jewelers, Vice Chair; Steve Velasquez of Madison Jewelers, Secretary; Karen Goracke of Borsheims, Treasurer; and Robert F. Moeller II of R. F. Moeller Jewelers, Immediate Past Chair.
Jewelers of America’s Board of Directors advise the strategic direction of Jewelers of America and shares a passion for Jewelers of America’s mission to improve consume confidence in the jewelry industry. Each of the Director’s companies adheres to Jewelers of America’s Code of Professional Practices through a commitment to professionalism and ethical business practices.
Coleman Clark is the president of BC Clark in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a family owned and operated store since 1892. Clark is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and an AGS Certified Gemologist. He has served on the Jewelers of America Board in several capacities since 2012.
“I am proud to serve as the new Chair of the Jewelers of America Board of Directors. I look forward to serving alongside this talented group of individuals as we help JA continue to serve and represent our jewelry industry in powerful and meaningful ways,” says Coleman Clark, JA Chair.
The following new Directors have been elected for a three-year term:
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- Constance Polamalu
Zachary’s Jewelers; Annapolis, MD
Constance is an American Samoan first-generation jeweler, serving as Chief Operating Officer at Zachary’s Jewelers. With 15 years in jewelry retail, product development and leadership, Constance was named a JA 20 Under 40 and an Emerging Designer by Natural Diamond Council and Lorraine Schwartz for her design venture, Birthright Foundry, in 2021.
- Hunter Tivol McGrath
TIVOL Jewelers; Kansas City, MO
Hunter is the fourth-generation CEO of TIVOL Jewelers in Kansas City, maintaining his family’s legacy and adapting to shifts in market trends and technologies. With accounting experience and a CPA designation, Hunter began at TIVOL as a sales associate and diamond buyer and was then promoted to VP for 8 years before his current CEO position.
- Julie Keeney
Fred Meyer Jewelers; Portland, OR
Julie is an industry leader and VP of Fred Meyer Jewelers, a 127-store chain based out of Portland. In her 10 years with the company, she has served as Regional Sales Director and VP of Sales, Stores and Midwest Sales. Julie is DCA Diamond and Gemstone Certified, a member of The Women’s Jewelry Association, a GIA alumnus and serves on the DCA Board.
In addition to the Executive Board noted above, JA’s 2023-2024 Board of Directors includes: Chad Berg, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry; Lawrence Bock, Bachendorf’s; Jeffery Bolling, Jeffery B Jewelers; Joseph Corey, Day’s Jewelers; Kim Crawford, Macy’s Inc.; Krystle Craycraft, Jewelers Mutual Group; Edward Dikes, Weston Jewelers; Sue Hopeman, Robbins Brothers Jewelers; Julie Keeney, Fred Meyer Jewelers; Lenny Kramer, Leo Schachter; Valerie Madison, Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry; Robert Marks, Rogers Jewelry Co.; Hunter McGrath, Tivol Jewelers; Constance Polamalu, Zachary’s Jewelers; Stan Razny, Razny Jewelers; Tobey Ritchie, Harry Ritchie’s; Sherry Smith, The Edge Retail Academy; and Tonia Leitzel Ulsh, Mountz Jewelers
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