MajorsAug 02, 2021
Sam Sandberg Elected President of The Plumb ClubIndependentsAug 04, 2021
JA Welcomes New Board Chair, Elects 5 New Directors
Bob Moeller of R.F. Moeller Jeweler takes over as chair of the trade association’s board.
PHOTO Robert (Bob) Moeller II
PHOTO Jeffery Bolling
PHOTO Kim Crawford
PHOTO Edward Dikes
PHOTO Valerie Madison
PHOTO Tonia Leitzel Ulsh
New York—Minnesota jeweler Robert (Bob) Moeller II is the new chair of Jewelers of America’s board of directors, succeeding Holly Wesche.
Moeller, the president and director of sales for R.F. Moeller Jeweler in Saint Paul, Minnesota, was elected at the trade association’s July 22 board meeting.
Moller grew up in the jewelry industry.
His father, Robert F. Moeller, founded R.F. Moeller in 1951.
Moeller II took over as president in 2006 and now oversees the company his father started. R.F. Moeller has two stores in the Twin Cities area.
He is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and an AGS Certified Gemologist Appraiser.
In a press release announcing his election, Moeller said: “It is a privilege to serve as chair of the Jewelers of America board of directors.
“Jewelers of America has always fought for the jewelry industry and now more than ever, they are committed to helping their members succeed. I look forward to serving with the board.”
Moeller will lead an executive committee consisting of the following elected officers: Chair Elect Coleman Clark, BC Clark Jewelers; Vice Chair Matthew Rosenheim, Tiny Jewel Box; Vice Chair Craig Rottenberg, Long’s Jewelers; Treasurer Elise Greenberg, Greenberg’s Jewelers; Secretary Karen Goracke, Borsheims, and Past Chair Holly Wesche, Wesche Jewelers.
Related stories will be right here …
Moeller, the president and director of sales for R.F. Moeller Jeweler in Saint Paul, Minnesota, was elected at the trade association’s July 22 board meeting.
Moller grew up in the jewelry industry.
His father, Robert F. Moeller, founded R.F. Moeller in 1951.
Moeller II took over as president in 2006 and now oversees the company his father started. R.F. Moeller has two stores in the Twin Cities area.
He is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and an AGS Certified Gemologist Appraiser.
In a press release announcing his election, Moeller said: “It is a privilege to serve as chair of the Jewelers of America board of directors.
“Jewelers of America has always fought for the jewelry industry and now more than ever, they are committed to helping their members succeed. I look forward to serving with the board.”
Moeller will lead an executive committee consisting of the following elected officers: Chair Elect Coleman Clark, BC Clark Jewelers; Vice Chair Matthew Rosenheim, Tiny Jewel Box; Vice Chair Craig Rottenberg, Long’s Jewelers; Treasurer Elise Greenberg, Greenberg’s Jewelers; Secretary Karen Goracke, Borsheims, and Past Chair Holly Wesche, Wesche Jewelers.
Elected alongside Moeller were five new directors, each of whom will serve a three-year term.
They are as follows.
Jeffery Bolling, president and owner, Jeffery B Jewelers, Denver. Bolling has more than 30 years of industry experience, and is the only Black full-service jeweler in Colorado. He’s proud to serve the community with his son by his side.
Kim Crawford, vice president divisional business manager, fine jewelry at Macy’s Inc., New York. A merchant executive with experience in buying, planning, assortment building and stores, Crawford has been with Macy’s for more than 20 years. She is responsible for omni-buying, execution and vendor partnerships.
Edward Dikes, founder and CEO, Weston Jewelers, Weston, Florida. Dikes grew up working in his father’s store. He and his wife opened Weston Jewelers in 2001, recently adding a second location in the Guitar Hotel. He is proud to welcome his children into the business.
Valerie Madison, owner, Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry, Seattle. Madison is a Black-Latina fine jewelry designer, owner, and creative director. She creates modern heirlooms using recycled metals, sustainably sourced diamonds and unique gemstones, celebrating her clients’ milestones and love stories in gold and precious gems.
Tonia Leitzel Ulsh, president, COO and co-owner, Mountz Jewelers, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Ulsh worked at her father’s store before opening Mountz Jewelers with her brother in 1989. She is active with a number of organizations, including the United Way and The Salvation Army, and serves on the Forevermark Leadership Council.
For the complete list of JA’s 2021-2022 board of directors, visit Jewelers.org.
More on Independents
The Latest
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
