MajorsOct 05, 2023
JFC Names New Executive DirectorMajorsOct 06, 2023
Jewelers of America Names New Board Chair, Directors
The trade organization has welcomed three new members to its 2023-2024 board.
Jewelers of America has announced its new board for 2023-2024. From left, Coleman Clark is the new board chair while Constance Polamalu, Hunter Tivol McGrath, and Julie Keeney have been elected to serve three-year terms as directors.
New York—Jewelers of America has elected a new chair and executive committee, as well as new directors, to its board.
The directors were elected on Oct. 2 during JA’s annual general meeting, while the executive committee was elected the following day at its board of directors meeting.
Coleman Clark, President of B.C. Clark in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was chosen as chair.
His family-owned-and-operated store was founded in 1892 and has expanded to three locations.
Clark is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and an AGS Certified Gemologist. He has served on the Jewelers of America Board in several roles since 2012.
“I am proud to serve as the new Chair of the Jewelers of America Board of Directors. I look forward to serving alongside this talented group of individuals as we help JA continue to serve and represent our jewelry industry in powerful and meaningful ways,” said Clark.
The executive committee includes:
Matthew Rosenheim of Tiny Jewel Box, Chair-Elect;
Steve Padis of Padis Jewelers, Vice Chair;
Elise Greenberg of Greenberg’s Jewelers, Vice Chair;
Steve Velasquez of Madison Jewelers, Secretary;
Karen Goracke of Borsheims, Treasurer; and
Robert F. Moeller II of R. F. Moeller Jewelers, Immediate Past Chair.
“Jewelers of America’s Board of Directors advises the strategic direction of Jewelers of America and shares a passion for Jewelers of America’s mission to improve consumer confidence in the jewelry industry,” said the organization.
Each director’s company follows JA’s Code of Professional Practices through a commitment to professionalism and ethical business practices.
Related stories will be right here …
The directors were elected on Oct. 2 during JA’s annual general meeting, while the executive committee was elected the following day at its board of directors meeting.
Coleman Clark, President of B.C. Clark in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was chosen as chair.
His family-owned-and-operated store was founded in 1892 and has expanded to three locations.
Clark is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and an AGS Certified Gemologist. He has served on the Jewelers of America Board in several roles since 2012.
“I am proud to serve as the new Chair of the Jewelers of America Board of Directors. I look forward to serving alongside this talented group of individuals as we help JA continue to serve and represent our jewelry industry in powerful and meaningful ways,” said Clark.
The executive committee includes:
Matthew Rosenheim of Tiny Jewel Box, Chair-Elect;
Steve Padis of Padis Jewelers, Vice Chair;
Elise Greenberg of Greenberg’s Jewelers, Vice Chair;
Steve Velasquez of Madison Jewelers, Secretary;
Karen Goracke of Borsheims, Treasurer; and
Robert F. Moeller II of R. F. Moeller Jewelers, Immediate Past Chair.
“Jewelers of America’s Board of Directors advises the strategic direction of Jewelers of America and shares a passion for Jewelers of America’s mission to improve consumer confidence in the jewelry industry,” said the organization.
Each director’s company follows JA’s Code of Professional Practices through a commitment to professionalism and ethical business practices.
Three new directors have been elected for a three-year term.
Constance Polamalu, chief operating officer at Zachary’s Jewelers in Annapolis, Maryland, is new to the board. The American Samoan first-generation jeweler has 15 years of experience in jewelry retail, product development and leadership.
Polamalu was named one of JA’s “20 Under 40” and an “Emerging Designer” by Natural Diamond Council and Lorraine Schwartz for her design venture, Birthright Foundry, in 2021.
Hunter Tivol McGrath of Tivol Jewelers in Kansas City, Missouri, is also a new addition. He is the fourth-generation CEO of the family business.
McGrath, who has accounting experience and a CPA designation, started as a sales associate and diamond buyer. He was later promoted to vice president, a role he served in for 8 years, before becoming CEO.
The third new director is Julie Keeney, vice president at Fred Meyer Jewelers in Portland, Oregon.
Keeney is DCA diamond and gemstone certified, a member of the Women’s Jewelry Association, a GIA alumna, and serves on the DCA Board.
In addition to those listed above, JA’s 2023-2024 board of directors includes:
Chad Berg, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry;
Lawrence Bock, Bachendorf's;
Jeffery Bolling, Jeffery B Jewelers;
Joseph Corey, Day's Jewelers;
Kim Crawford, Macy’s Inc.;
Krystle Craycraft, Jewelers Mutual Group;
Edward Dikes, Weston Jewelers;
Sue Hopeman, Robbins Brothers Jewelers;
Lenny Kramer, Leo Schachter;
Valerie Madison, Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry;
Robert Marks, Rogers Jewelry Co.;
Stan Razny, Razny Jewelers;
Tobey Ritchie, Harry Ritchie's;
Sherry Smith, The Edge Retail Academy; and
Tonia Leitzel Ulsh, Mountz Jewelers.
For more information, visit the JA website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
ColumnistsApr 30, 2026
Peter Smith: A Sleazy Salesman and the Case for Regret Avoidance Smith uses a comment he overheard in the grocery store to remind retailers that their job is to inspire buying behavior, not just sell.
AuctionsApr 30, 2026
Vintage Cartier Watch Crashes Through Records, Selling for $2MBelieved to be one of three made in 1987, the Cartier London Crash was hot at the “Shapes of Cartier” sale at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.
CrimeApr 30, 2026
Masked Group Uses Hammers, Pepper Spray in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyOfficials are looking for a group that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers at an outlet mall in Round Rock, Texas, in broad daylight on April 21.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Supplier BulletinApr 30, 2026
OROAREZZO 2026: The B2B Event for Italian Excellence in Goldsmith, Jewelry and Silver ManufacturingSponsored by OROAREZZO International Jewelry Exhibition
Weekly QuizApr 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsApr 29, 2026
Dick Abbott to Retire From The EdgeThe Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.
SourcingApr 29, 2026
De Beers’ Production Rises, Market Remains ‘Challenged’De Beers’ diamond production was up 17 percent in Q1, boosted by increased output at its mines in South Africa and Canada.
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.
AuctionsApr 29, 2026
This'll Be the Day You Own John Wayne's RingA signet ring belonging to the Western film star of Hollywood’s Golden Age will be up for auction at Elmwood’s next month.
Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
Doug Hucker Retires From ICAThe colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
