(PRESS RELEASE) ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Rio Grande, the trusted wholesale partner to the jewelry industry since 1944, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicolette Bianchi as its new Marketing Director. Bianchi brings over 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development to the role, with a strong background in digital innovation and strategic brand growth.
Nicolette Bianchi
In her new role, Bianchi will oversee all aspects of Rio Grande’s marketing, including strategy, digital initiatives, lead generation, advertising, brand development, and content creation. She will lead both the strategic and tactical direction of the company’s marketing efforts, with a focus on enhancing the website, expanding brand presence across key markets, and strengthening relationships with retail jewelers, manufacturers, artisans, and educators.
“Nicolette brings a fresh perspective and an impressive track record of driving innovation in highly regulated and customer-centric industries,” said Dennis Claspell, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Rio Grande. “We’ve built a framework that combines creativity, efficiency, and reliability and ultimately leveraging the strength of our Richline network while staying close to our roots in U.S.-based manufacturing. Nicolette’s leadership will help us continue evolving to meet the changing needs of our customers.”
Prior to joining Rio Grande in July 2025, Bianchi held key roles across the financial services and government sectors. Most recently, she worked in digital product development at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where she created web applications to support the Department of Energy’s national security mission and internal communications. Before that, she spent over a decade in financial services, including serving as Director of Marketing Growth and Acquisition at Nusenda Credit Union, New Mexico’s largest credit union. Her efforts helped expand market share across the state. She also contributed to strategic marketing at Thornburg Investment Management, a global investment firm.
Bianchi holds a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University’s Reed College of Media and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Communication from Arizona State University’s Hugh Downs School of Human Communication.
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With more than 80 years of industry leadership, Rio Grande is committed to cultivating lasting partnerships not just completing transactions. The company continues to invest in solutions that empower jewelers to meet consumer demands and grow their businesses sustainably. By manufacturing and sourcing many of its products in the U.S., Rio Grande ensures dependable access to high-quality materials while minimizing global supply chain disruptions.
For more information, visit www.RioGrande.com or call 1-800-545-6566.
