Policies & IssuesJan 26, 2023
Diamonds Do Good Names 10 to Board of DirectorsMajorsJan 27, 2023
Diamond Council of America Appoints Treasurer, Board Member
Executives from Fred Meyer Jewelers and Riddles Jewelers have filled the roles.
Julie Keeney is now DCA secretary and treasurer, while Mike Blank is a board director.
New York—Diamond Council of America has announced changes to its board.
The nonprofit organization has elected Julie Keeney of Fred Meyer Jewelers as secretary and treasurer and added Mike Blank of Riddles Jewelers to the board.
Keeney, vice president of sales at Fred Meyer Jewelers, works across physical stores, ecommerce, merchandising, marketing, and human resources at the 130-store chain.
Prior to her decade of work at Fred Meyer’s, Keeney held management and executive roles at other companies in the jewelry industry.
A member of the Women’s Jewelry Association and a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America, Keeney is DCA diamond and gemstone certified.
Blank is the director of operations and training for Riddles Group, the parent company of Riddles Jewelry.
The founder of Riddles Jewelry, Jess Riddle, brought Blank to the company 35 years ago. In that time, Blank has been part of the chain’s growth from 14 to 60 retail stores.
DCA President and CEO Terry Chandler said, “I want to congratulate Julie for her election to Secretary/Treasurer as well as welcome Mike to the DCA Board.
“Their depth of retail knowledge will help DCA as it continues to grow and better serve those who need an affordable, distant education option.”
DCA provides professional certification in diamonds, colored gemstones, and fine jewelry sales through distance education.
In addition to Keeney’s role as secretary/treasurer, the board’s executive committee consists of Chairman Chuck Cuba of Iowa Diamond and Vice Chairman Dave Bonaparte, CEO of Jewelers of America.
Related stories will be right here …
The nonprofit organization has elected Julie Keeney of Fred Meyer Jewelers as secretary and treasurer and added Mike Blank of Riddles Jewelers to the board.
Keeney, vice president of sales at Fred Meyer Jewelers, works across physical stores, ecommerce, merchandising, marketing, and human resources at the 130-store chain.
Prior to her decade of work at Fred Meyer’s, Keeney held management and executive roles at other companies in the jewelry industry.
A member of the Women’s Jewelry Association and a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America, Keeney is DCA diamond and gemstone certified.
Blank is the director of operations and training for Riddles Group, the parent company of Riddles Jewelry.
The founder of Riddles Jewelry, Jess Riddle, brought Blank to the company 35 years ago. In that time, Blank has been part of the chain’s growth from 14 to 60 retail stores.
DCA President and CEO Terry Chandler said, “I want to congratulate Julie for her election to Secretary/Treasurer as well as welcome Mike to the DCA Board.
“Their depth of retail knowledge will help DCA as it continues to grow and better serve those who need an affordable, distant education option.”
DCA provides professional certification in diamonds, colored gemstones, and fine jewelry sales through distance education.
In addition to Keeney’s role as secretary/treasurer, the board’s executive committee consists of Chairman Chuck Cuba of Iowa Diamond and Vice Chairman Dave Bonaparte, CEO of Jewelers of America.
More on Majors
The Latest
SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO SaysThe goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education LineupThe trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
