Majors

Jewelers for Children Elects New Board

MajorsOct 21, 2021

Jewelers for Children Elects New Board

Alan Zimmer is the newly elected board chair as Debra Puzio’s term ends.

2021_Jewelers for Children logo.jpg
Jewelers for Children has elected a new board of directors, naming Reeds Jewelers CEO Alan Zimmer the chair.
New York—Jewelers for Children has announced its new board of directors, including a new board chair.
 
Reeds Jewelers CEO and President Alan Zimmer was elected board chair.
 
“It’s an honor to serve as the chair of Jewelers for Children and continue the amazing work of this organization and our entire industry,” said Zimmer in a press release. 
 
Zimmer succeeded Debra Puzio, founder and creative director of StarLuxe Branding, after she completed her two-year term.
 
“The support from our donors has been amazing, helping to ensure we will be helping children in need for many years to come and following Debra who faced so many challenges during her term is truly humbling,” he added.
 
Puzio will now serve as immediate past chair and chair of the nominating committee. 
 
The officers elected for one-year terms are as follows.
 
John White, vice president for charity program;
Jeffrey Cohen of Citizen Watch America, vice president for fundraising;
Eric Zuckerman of Pac Team Group, vice president for special programs;
Jenny Luker of Platinum Guild International, vice president of marketing and public relations; 
Bill Luth of Signet Jewelers, secretary; and 
Charles Stanley of Forevermark USA, treasurer. 
 
 Related stories will be right here … 
 
The new directors elected to three-year terms include Matthijs Braakman of Smartwork Media, Joe Corey of Day’s Jewelers, Brandee Dallow of SCS Global Services, Bobbi Hansen of Fred Meyer Jewelers, Roopam Jain of Jewelmark, Ajay Javeri of Diamour, Martin Rapaport of Rapaport, and Dov Tannenbaum of Leo Schachter Diamonds.  
 
Seven directors completed three-year terms and were elected to second terms.
 
They are Theresia Dschida of Claire’s, Nathan Dweck of Jacmel Jewelry, Beth Gerstein of Brilliant Earth, Sheri Ihde of Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, Dave Meleski of Richline Group, Craig Rottenberg of Long’s Jewelers ,and Craig Stern of Rogers Enterprises.  
 
Those newly elected and re-elected began their terms on Oct.1, in line with JFC’s fiscal year.
 
Founded in 1999, Jewelers for Children has raised more than $58 million for programs that benefit children in need.

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