MajorsMar 30, 2023
Jewelers Mutual Marks a Major MilestoneMajorsMar 31, 2023
JBT Re-Elects Richard Katz as Board Chairman
As for new members, the organization welcomed Jewelers of America’s Annie Doresca and Parag Jain of Parag Diamonds.
During its annual elections, the Jewelers Board of Trade re-elected chairman Richard Katz and elected new and returning members to its board.
Warwick, R.I.—The Jewelers Board of Trade recently held its annual elections, re-electing its chairman and welcoming various new and returning members to its board.
Richard Katz, chief operating officer of Richline Group, once again was appointed chairman of the board, and will serve another one-year term.
Katz has volunteered on the board since 2008, bringing his experience in finance, operations, and leadership to the role.
“I'm honored to be elected for another one-year term as chairman of JBT. It is with pleasure to serve with some of the most dedicated individuals in the industry,” said Katz.
“Richard continues to bring great perspective to JBT’s strategies and operations,” said JBT President Erich Jacobs, who was also re-elected to his role as well as the role of treasurer.
The 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. (Day’s Jewelers) will be second vice-chairman.
Brenda M. Pimetal will continue to serve as secretary.
As for new members, the board elected Annie Doresca, chief financial officer of Jewelers of America, to join its ranks for a two-year term.
Doresca joined JA in 2008, and, prior to that, worked for several financial companies. She is also the co-founder and board president of the Black in Jewelry Coalition.
Also new to the board is Parag Jain of Parag Diamonds, who will serve a one-year term.
Jain has served as CEO of Paramount Gems since 2015. He also co-owns Paragems in Canada and Perfect Diamond Pvt. Ltd. in India, also serving as a board member for Fire & Ice Diamonds and A. Jaffe.
The following members were re-elected to the board for a two-year term.
• Matthijs Braakman, Retail Management Publishing Inc.
• Jeffery Corey, H. E. Murdock Company Inc.
• Brian D. Fleming, Carla Corporation
• Richard Katz, Richline Group
• Bryon Nelson, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company
• Pinny Rubin, Quality Gold Inc.
The following board members will continue to serve their existing terms.
• Ann S. Arnold, Buyers International Group
• Ira Bergman, The Gordon Company
• Edward N. DeCristofaro, LDC Inc.
• Teresa Frye, Techform Advanced Casting Tech. LLC
• Roger H. Gesswein III, Paul H. Gesswein & Co.
• Keven Peck, Color Merchants Inc.
• Andrew Rickard, Rochester Diamonds and Gold Inc.
The Jewelers Board of Trade is a not-for-profit organization that provides credit reporting and collections services.
Related stories will be right here …
Richard Katz, chief operating officer of Richline Group, once again was appointed chairman of the board, and will serve another one-year term.
Katz has volunteered on the board since 2008, bringing his experience in finance, operations, and leadership to the role.
“I'm honored to be elected for another one-year term as chairman of JBT. It is with pleasure to serve with some of the most dedicated individuals in the industry,” said Katz.
“Richard continues to bring great perspective to JBT’s strategies and operations,” said JBT President Erich Jacobs, who was also re-elected to his role as well as the role of treasurer.
The 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. (Day’s Jewelers) will be second vice-chairman.
Brenda M. Pimetal will continue to serve as secretary.
As for new members, the board elected Annie Doresca, chief financial officer of Jewelers of America, to join its ranks for a two-year term.
Doresca joined JA in 2008, and, prior to that, worked for several financial companies. She is also the co-founder and board president of the Black in Jewelry Coalition.
Also new to the board is Parag Jain of Parag Diamonds, who will serve a one-year term.
Jain has served as CEO of Paramount Gems since 2015. He also co-owns Paragems in Canada and Perfect Diamond Pvt. Ltd. in India, also serving as a board member for Fire & Ice Diamonds and A. Jaffe.
The following members were re-elected to the board for a two-year term.
• Matthijs Braakman, Retail Management Publishing Inc.
• Jeffery Corey, H. E. Murdock Company Inc.
• Brian D. Fleming, Carla Corporation
• Richard Katz, Richline Group
• Bryon Nelson, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company
• Pinny Rubin, Quality Gold Inc.
The following board members will continue to serve their existing terms.
• Ann S. Arnold, Buyers International Group
• Ira Bergman, The Gordon Company
• Edward N. DeCristofaro, LDC Inc.
• Teresa Frye, Techform Advanced Casting Tech. LLC
• Roger H. Gesswein III, Paul H. Gesswein & Co.
• Keven Peck, Color Merchants Inc.
• Andrew Rickard, Rochester Diamonds and Gold Inc.
The Jewelers Board of Trade is a not-for-profit organization that provides credit reporting and collections services.
More on Majors
The Latest
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
Weekly QuizMay 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
TechnologyMay 29, 2025
GemFind Launches AI Product Description SoftwareGemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.
CrimeMay 28, 2025
8 Convicted in Kim Kardashian Jewelry Heist TrialAging and with myriad health issues, none will serve time for their roles in robbing the billionaire celebrity at gunpoint in 2016.
CollectionsMay 28, 2025
NY Liberty’s 2024 Championship Rings Honor Historic WinThe WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.
MajorsMay 27, 2025
MJSA to Become Part of Jewelers of America The two organizations have signed an affiliation agreement that’s expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
Al Capone’s Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Back Up for AuctionThe platinum and diamond watch is part of Sotheby’s upcoming Important Watches sale.
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Sells for $487K Recovered in Mozambique, “The Kat Florence Lumina” was part of Bonhams’ Hong Kong jewelry auction held last week.
TrendsMay 27, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Candy-Colored GemstonesGet a taste of the delicious candy-like gemstones in this Amanda’s Style File.
CrimeMay 23, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
CollectionsMay 23, 2025
Piece of the Week: Bliss Lau’s ‘Bright’ RingFrom Lau’s “Love of a Kind” series, the engagement ring was inspired by the moon and holds a different meaning depending on how it is worn.
GradingMay 23, 2025
GIA Updates Pearl Classification SystemThe lab has adjusted the scale it uses for nacre grading.
Supplier BulletinMay 22, 2025
How to Put Natural Diamonds Back in the SpotlightSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
CrimeMay 22, 2025
NY Jeweler Sentenced in Shoving Death of Colleague at IJO ShowDavid Walton will serve three years’ probation after an incident in a hotel bar led to the death of West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger.
FinancialsMay 22, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s Full-Year U.S. Sales Climb 14% The retailer also provided an update on how the tariffs situation in the U.S. is affecting its business.
IndependentsMay 22, 2025
Adeler Jewelers Celebrates 50 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Great Falls, Virginia, will be celebrating its golden jubilee with a year’s worth of events.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Announce JudgesThe nonprofit elected five judges who will decide the winners of its design competition.
MajorsMay 22, 2025
MJSA Releases 2025-2026 Buyer’s GuideThis year’s edition includes articles on the favorite tools of notable designers, evaluating when to outsource production, and more.
CollectionsMay 21, 2025
Bulgari Highlights Its Colorful Past in Phenomenal ‘Polychroma’ CollectionThe jeweler’s high jewelry collection features extraordinary gemstones, like a 241.06-carat emerald and the world’s fourth-largest spinel.
ColumnistsMay 21, 2025
Edahn’s Take: Analyzing the 2025 ‘$100 Million Supersellers’ List In a special column for the State of the Majors, Edahn Golan breaks down what the top-performing fine jewelry sellers are doing right.
