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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
Weekly QuizAug 27, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
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.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
FinancialsAug 27, 2026
Movado’s Q2 Sales Up As Younger Consumers Take Interest in WatchesThe fashion watch category was once threatened by the Apple Watch, but consumers are now opting for new wearables, said Movado’s CEO.
SurveysAug 26, 2026
5 Jewelry Insights From The RealReal’s Resale ReportThe report delves into trending styles, the most popular jewelry brands by city, and why Belle Époque jewelry could be the next big thing.
Lab-GrownAug 26, 2026
AGTA Now Requiring Members to Call Lab-Grown Gems ‘Synthetic’The association added the requirement to its revised "Code of Ethics" and released the 17th edition of its “Gemstone Information Manual.”
SurveysAug 26, 2026
Consumer Confidence Dips in August Amid Anticipatory Anxieties Respondents were concerned about the future of the labor market and their income as well as the rising prices of gas and groceries.
TrendsAug 26, 2026
Boucheron’s New Campaign Celebrates Its ‘Question Mark’ NecklacesThe campaign highlights the asymmetrical high jewelry necklace style that the jeweler first created in 1879.
Events & AwardsAug 26, 2026
Harry Winston Exhibition to Open in ShanghaiIt will explore the life of “The King of Diamonds” and showcase more than 165 creations from the brand.
CrimeAug 25, 2026
Florida Woman Scammed Out of $1.5M in Jewelry, Precious MetalsTwo suspects have been arrested in connection with the complex phone scam.
ColumnistsAug 25, 2026
Proof Before Purchase: The Gen Z Way to BuyIn her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.
Events & AwardsAug 25, 2026
SSEF Opens 2026 Applications for Gemology Education ScholarshipsThe annual awards cover tuition for an on-site educational course at the Swiss lab, as well as flights and lodging.
TrendsAug 25, 2026
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farm’s Anniversary With JewelryThe jeweler partnered with the Tennessee resort to honor its 50th anniversary with limited-edition blackberry pendants and earrings.
EditorsAug 24, 2026
Q&A: Reeds Jewelers VP Genna Zimmer on 80 Years in BusinessThe third-generation jeweler shared how the North Carolina retailer is celebrating this milestone and the love story that started it all.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
Rio Grande, MetalWerx Host Argentium Silver WorkshopThe class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
JIS Miami Opens Fall 2026 RegistrationThe show is slated for Oct. 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
CollectionsAug 24, 2026
Francesca Villa Honors Napoleon, His Empresses In New CapsuleThe “Empresses” capsule uses 19th-century medals depicting Napoleon, Joséphine, and Marie-Louise across five one-of-a-kind pieces.
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
