JBT Names Richard Katz Board Chairman
Katz has volunteered on the nonprofit’s board since 2008.
Richard Katz, senior vice president of Richline Group, Inc., was named chairman of the board at JBT’s annual meeting on Feb. 9 and at its board meeting on March 9.
Katz has volunteered on JBT’s board since 2008, most recently serving as its vice chairman.
He succeeds Ann Arnold, chief strategic officer at Buyers International Group.
“I am honored to serve at the helm of this board working together with some of the brightest and dedicated individuals in the industry,” said Katz.
“JBT is uniquely positioned to help companies in this industry better know their customers and suppliers.”
JBT President Erich Jacobs said, “Richard brings great perspective to JBT’s strategies and operations. His industry background and prior service on the JBT board will help us meet the growing demand for industry transparency.”
The company’s board also elected the following officers and directors to serve a one-year term.
Brian D. Fleming of Carla Corporation will serve as first vice-chairman while Jeffery Corey of H.E. Murdock Company Inc. will be second vice-chairman.
Erich Jacobs will continue to serve as president as well as treasurer, while Brenda M. Pimetal will serve as secretary.
Nilesh Sheth of Forever Collections Inc. was appointed to the JBT Executive Committee.
Roger Gesswein III of Paul H. Gesswein & Company. Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of tools and equipment for the jewelry industry, was newly elected to the board for a two-year term.
Gesswein is a current board member of the 24 Karat Club of the City of New York and serves as market development manager at the Gesswein Company.
The following were re-elected to the board for a two-year period:
• Ann S. Arnold, Buyers International Group
• Ira Bergman, The Gordon Company, Inc.
• Edward N. DeCristofaro, LDC, Inc.
• Teresa Frye, Techform Advanced Casting Tech., L.L.C.
• Keven Peck, Color Merchants, Inc.
• Andrew Rickard, Rochester Diamonds and Gold, Inc.
Michael Kaplan of Rocket Jewelry Box Inc. was elected to a two-year period on the advisory board while Richard Weisenfeld was re-elected for a two-year period.
The following board members will continue to serve their existing terms:
• Matthijs Braakman, Retail Management Publishing, Inc.
• Tim Coggins, Bank Rhode Island
• Jeffery Corey, H. E. Murdock Company Inc.
• Brian D. Fleming, Carla Corporation
• Bryon Nelson, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company
• Pinny Rubin, Quality Gold Inc.
The Jewelers Board of Trade is a not-for-profit organization that provides credit reporting and collections services.
The Latest
The auction also featured the sale of a Cartier necklace made when Egyptomania was sweeping Great Britain.
The “Blossom Rosette” blooms with love, beauty, and hope for the year ahead.
Rovinsky is remembered as a great mentor who made the employees of his stores feel like family.
The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
For every jeweler who tries their luck, the company will make a donation to Jewelers for Children.
An experienced jewelry writer and curator, Grant led the organization for two years.
Five new designs were added, all donning Tahitian cultured pearls and spear-like trident motifs, along with the new “Titan” setting.
A Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
The inaugural event is being co-hosted by the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America.
The jeweler’s latest high jewelry collection looks into the Boucheron archives to create a “living encyclopedia of high jewelry.”
Watch and jewelry sales slipped 3 percent in 2024, though the luxury conglomerate did see business pick up in the fourth quarter.
Olivier Kessler-Gay will take over the role on March 3.
It hit a four-month low in January due to concerns about the job market, though consumers remain bullish about the stock market.
The jewelry designer and master metalsmith will present on the ancient Japanese metalworking technique at the Atlanta Jewelry Show in March.
The “Moments” social media campaign emphasizes the emotional ties between natural diamonds and life’s special milestones.
The versatile “As We Are” collection features 14 pieces with interlocking designs allowing for 27 different looks worn around the body.
Letsile Tebogo will help to promote natural diamonds and the good they have done for his country.
The showcase, in its second year, will feature more than 20 international brands at its curated event from Feb. 2-4.
“My Next Question” guests Sherry Smith and Edahn Golan share their 2025 forecasts, from sales and marketing to what retailers should stock.
The seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.
LeVian is remembered for his leadership in the jewelry industry and for being a selfless and compassionate person.
Monishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah pleaded guilty to evading customs on more than $13.5 million of jewelry imported into the U.S.
Jemora Gemhouse’s inaugural auction, slated for March, will take place in Dubai and feature polished sapphires.
Quinn partnered with Gemfields to create “Crazy Love,” which features Zambian emeralds and Mozambican rubies across 10 pieces.
The catalog is 48 pages and features more than 100 styles.
The one-of-a-kind necklace was designed in celebration of the Chinese New Year, as 2025 is the Year of the Snake.
The gemstone show is slated to take place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.