Press Releases

MJSA Education Foundation Appoints Executive Director

He is a 26-year veteran of MJSA.

Published

2 years ago

April 13, 2022

Press Releases

Rich Youmans

(PRESS RELEASE) MJSA, the trade alliance dedicated to professional excellence in jewelry making and design, has appointed Rich Youmans executive director of the MJSA Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 subsidiary that supports training and career initiatives for workers throughout the industry.

Youmans, a 26-year veteran of MJSA, currently serves as the alliance’s chief communications officer and the publisher of its print and digital media (including the flagship monthly magazine MJSA Journal). He has also played an integral role in developing many of MJSA’s educational programs (including the MJSA Journal LIVE and At the Bench Live seminars) and overseeing the Foundation’s scholarship program.

He will now expand upon those responsibilities to further advance the Foundation’s educational efforts, which include the recently launched MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program. A recipient of a JCK Industry Fund grant, the program aims to develop the tools needed by businesses to bring on apprentices and train them properly. Nanz Aalund, author of the MJSA Press book A Jeweler’s Guide to Apprenticeships, is now developing a Competency-Based Occupational Framework for bench jewelers that, when completed, will have the first nationally recognized standards and training procedures.

“Rich has always had a passion for education, and his experience in publishing and disseminating information has dovetailed nicely with MJSA’s efforts to provide relevant technical and business education,” says MJSA President/CEO David W. Cochran. “Under his direction and with the guidance of the Foundation’s chair, Steve Cipolla, the MJSA Education Foundation will be able to accelerate its drive to foster the next generation of jewelers and maintain a competitive workforce.”

For updates about the MJSA Education Foundation and its initiatives, visit the Career Connections section on MJSA.org.

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”