Independents

Hill Management Group Hires Two Executives

IndependentsAug 14, 2023

Hill Management Group Hires Two Executives

The new leaders will work in strategy and marketing divisions.

Sherri Burney and Karen Rice
Sherri Burney, left, and Karen Rice have joined the senior leadership team at Hill Management Group.
Chicago—Hill Management Group, owner of The Werx Brands, announced that Sherri Burney and Karen Rice have joined its senior leadership team.

The new hires are tasked with driving growth and operational excellence within the StrategyWerx and Werx.Marketing divisions.

Prior to joining Hill Management Group, Burney was a senior project manager at Verizon for around 20 years. 

She holds PMP, PMI-ACP, ITIL Expert, and Six Sigma Green Belt certifications, and brings years of experience in managing complex infrastructure projects.

In her new role, she will help clients of StrategyWerx and Werx.Marketing implement streamlined marketing, sales, and operations technologies.

“Sherri’s remarkable track record in managing complex technology projects is exactly what our rapidly growing company needs at this time,” said Kristin Kopaz, a project manager on Hill’s senior leadership team.

 Related stories will be right here … 

Rice was director of operations at Relios Inc., an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based jewelry manufacturing company.

She completed her FGA (fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain) in the United Kingdom and began her career in jewelry manufacturing in New York City. 

Rice brings valuable insights into optimizing manufacturing and administration processes for growing companies, Hill Management Group said.

In her new role, she will be responsible for enhancing systems usage, updating manufacturing flows, and integrating CRM systems.

Hill Management Group CEO Andrea Hill said the executives’ expertise will benefit the group’s clients by providing business growth planning, strategy, sales, and marketing solutions.

“Building the strengths necessary to achieve our growth goals is an exhilarating journey,” said Hill. 

“With the addition of Sherri and Karen, whose impressive professional expertise is matched by their collaborative and transparent work styles, I am confident that our incredible team will continue to make Hill Management Group a vital partner to our customers and a great place to work.”

The Latest

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesFeb 03, 2026
Tariff Relief on Horizon for India as Trump, Modi Make Deal

President Trump said he has reached a trade deal with India, which, when made official, will bring relief to the country’s diamond industry.

Jade Trau Spring Summer 2026 Collection Campaign
CollectionsFeb 03, 2026
Jade Trau Releases New Charms, Introduces Rondelles

The designer’s latest collection takes inspiration from her classic designs, reimagining the motifs in new forms.

Casio Headquarters Jersey City, New Jersey
WatchesFeb 03, 2026
Casio America Calls Jersey City Home

The watchmaker moved its U.S. headquarters to a space it said fosters creativity and forward-thinking solutions in Jersey City, New Jersey.

MJSA Apprenticeship Guide
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

Launched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.

Nivoda gemstones
SourcingFeb 03, 2026
Nivoda Reveals Upgraded Gemstone Marketplace

The company also announced a new partnership with GemGuide and the pending launch of an education-focused membership program.

Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
International Gemological Institute logo
GradingFeb 02, 2026
IGI to Acquire American Gemological Laboratories

IGI is buying the colored gemstone grading laboratory through IGI USA, and AGL will continue to operate as its own brand.

Ylang 23 store burglary
CrimeFeb 02, 2026
Ylang 23’s Dallas Store Burglarized

The Texas jeweler said its team is “incredibly resilient” and thanked its community for showing support.

JamAlert 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell Jammers

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

Tyla at 68th annual Grammy Awards
EditorsFeb 02, 2026
Stars Choose Chokers, Elongated Earrings at 2026 Grammys

From cool-toned metal to ring stacks, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the jewelry trends she spotted at the Grammy Awards.

Silver, Gold, and Bronze Medals for 2026 Winter Olympics
CollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes Unity

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.

Dawn dish soap, Dove soap, M&M candy, Tylenol
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGov

From tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.

Etiq Khol Ring
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ Ring

The “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.

Arch Crown Tag & Label 2026 Catalog
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is Here

The catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.

Ghirardelli Chocolocket
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s Day

The chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”

Step-cut Colombian emerald ring London Jewels Bonhams
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025

The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.

Red Rubies AGTA
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced Gemstones

Any gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.

Audemars Piguet Atlanta Store Artwork
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in Atlanta

The Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”

Anza Gems gemstones
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in Tucson

The new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.

National Jeweler columnist and jewelry sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for Success

In his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.

Hand holding shopping bags
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in January

The index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.

Bulgari Gioco di Forme e Colori watch and brooch
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales Slip

The brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.

GemFair x DBL Toi et Moi Ring
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal Diamonds

The collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.

Montana sapphire
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana Sapphires

The initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.

Clientbook
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking Tool

The new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.

Columbia Gem House celestial shapes
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes

Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.

Diamond center in Saurimo, Angola
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit

Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.

Francesca’s boutique
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All Stores

The retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy