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Jewelers of America Names GEM Awards Chairman

Published

5 years ago

June 22, 2018

INSTORE Staff

(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK – Jewelers of America, a national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, has selected Olivier Stip, general manager, watches and fine jewelry of CHANEL, as GEM Awards Committee chair. He succeeds Norman Miller, who served as the GEM Awards Committee chair from 2014 to 2018.

“We are honored to have Olivier Stip at the helm of the GEM Awards Committee,” says David J. Bonaparte, Jewelers of America president and CEO. “Olivier has been a long-time supporter of JA and GEM Awards. His vast understanding of GEM Awards’ history mixed with his vision for the future is sure to make the 2019 GEM Awards, the best GEM Awards yet.”

Stip is a veteran of the luxury goods industry who has held key positions at Chanel and the Richemont Group. Known for his client-centric vision and strategic approach, he has extensive experience across multiple high-end categories, including fine jewelry, watches, eyewear and fragrance. Olivier joined Chanel in 2010 and now serves as general manager, watches and fine jewelry. In this position, he oversees retail and wholesale for the division in the U.S. Previously, he was the senior vice president, marketing and communications, at Cartier North America, and has also held the positions of vice president, retail and jewelry and vice president, international marketing and global communication, for Piaget in Geneva. Olivier holds an MBA in finance and marketing from ESCP Europe.

“I’ve had the privilege to be a part of the GEM Awards since its inception, as a guest, an award presenter, and a Committee member,” said Stip. “The exposure that the event brings to the jewelry industry and Jewelers of America is unparalleled, and I’m honored to be invited to lead the Committee for the next two years.”

2019 GEM Awards Committee

As the GEM Awards Committee chair, Stip will lead the Committee made up of the following individuals: Randi Udell Alper, London Jewelers; Sarin Bachmann, JCK & LUXURY – Reed Jewelry Group; David Bonaparte, Jewelers of America; David Bouffard, Signet Jewelers; Gannon Brousseau, Jewelry Group – Emerald Expositions; Stephanie Evans Greene, Hearts On Fire; Marion Fasel, The Adventurine; Roberta Naas, ATimelyPerspective.com; Marta Nowakowski, Saks Fifth Avenue; Russell Pagliughi, Atelier Swarovski; Michelle Peranteau, Harry Winston; Matthew Rosenheim, Tiny Jewel Box; Norman Miller, Immediate Past Chair; Steven Kaiser – Chairman Emeritus, Kaiser Time Inc.

For the complete list of the GEM Awards Committee, to secure sponsorships or tickets, or to learn more about the Jan. 11, 2019, gala, visit gemawards.jewelers.org

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.”