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.
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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.
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