MajorsJan 25, 2024
Jewelers Mutual Hires Former Amazon Loss Prevention Exec IndependentsFeb 05, 2024
IJO Adds 3 New Board Members
The organization’s new president Stephen Barnes is also stepping down from the board.
The IJO Board of Directors has three new members: (left to right) John Herold of John Herold Jewelers; Todd Bazar of Imperial Pearl; and Allison Peck of Brevani/Color Merchants.
Southport, Conn.—The Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) has added three new members to its board of directors.
The board is composed of 10 retail members and three vendor members.
The new retail member is John Herold of John Herold Jewelers in Randolph, New Jersey, and the new vendor members are Todd Bazar of Imperial Pearl; and Allison Peck of Brevani/Color Merchants.
The new additions will serve with current retail board members:
Nathan Regan of Burnell’s Fine Jewelry in Wichita, Kansas;
Kari Johnson Smith of Champaign Jewelers in Champaign, Illinois;
Janelle Mead of Harris Jewelers in Rio Rancho, New Mexico;
Daniel Widmar of Rasmussen Diamonds in Racine, Wisconsin;
Cindi Haddad-Drew of Cindi’s Diamond & Jewelry Gallery in Foxboro, Massachusetts;
Rick Sanders of Sanders Jewelers in Gainesville, Florida;
Tia Daniel of Conti Jewelers in Endwell, New York;
Scott Stambaugh of Stambaugh Jewelers in Defiance, Ohio;
Joanne Osborne of Osborne Jewelers in Goodyear, Arizona;
and vendor board member Brecken Farnsworth of Parlé Jewelry Designs in Pocatello, Idaho.
“The input from these very creative, supportive members is invaluable, and many significant changes have taken place as a result of their contributions,” said IJO Owner and Chairman Jeff Roberts.
“Their leadership abilities have played a key role in this organization for a good number of years, and I look forward to working with our new appointees.”
Related stories will be right here …
The board is composed of 10 retail members and three vendor members.
The new retail member is John Herold of John Herold Jewelers in Randolph, New Jersey, and the new vendor members are Todd Bazar of Imperial Pearl; and Allison Peck of Brevani/Color Merchants.
The new additions will serve with current retail board members:
Nathan Regan of Burnell’s Fine Jewelry in Wichita, Kansas;
Kari Johnson Smith of Champaign Jewelers in Champaign, Illinois;
Janelle Mead of Harris Jewelers in Rio Rancho, New Mexico;
Daniel Widmar of Rasmussen Diamonds in Racine, Wisconsin;
Cindi Haddad-Drew of Cindi’s Diamond & Jewelry Gallery in Foxboro, Massachusetts;
Rick Sanders of Sanders Jewelers in Gainesville, Florida;
Tia Daniel of Conti Jewelers in Endwell, New York;
Scott Stambaugh of Stambaugh Jewelers in Defiance, Ohio;
Joanne Osborne of Osborne Jewelers in Goodyear, Arizona;
and vendor board member Brecken Farnsworth of Parlé Jewelry Designs in Pocatello, Idaho.
“The input from these very creative, supportive members is invaluable, and many significant changes have taken place as a result of their contributions,” said IJO Owner and Chairman Jeff Roberts.
“Their leadership abilities have played a key role in this organization for a good number of years, and I look forward to working with our new appointees.”
Stephen Barnes of Barnes Jewelers in Goldsboro, North Carolina, who was recently named president of IJO, will be leaving the board.
“Since I have been named president of IJO, I felt I should step down from my role on the board, but I’ll be working closely with them,” said Barnes. “I’m excited and believe we can all make a difference. I have some lofty goals with a list of core values, and I’m happy to be in this position to help make things even better in the coming years.”
Members Jeff Wynkoop of Quality Gold in Fairfield, Ohio, and Kyle Pancis of Pancis Gems in Morris Plains, New Jersey are also rolling out.
“These outgoing board members have provided outstanding service to the IJO family, and they’ve been a great asset. I’m deeply grateful for their support,” said Roberts.
The board meets twice yearly at IJO conferences and is available for consultation throughout the year. New members will be welcomed at the organization’s next conference in Dallas, Texas, March 8-12.
For information on membership in IJO, visit the organization’s website or call Penny Palmer at 800-624-9252.
More on Independents
The Latest
Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYCThe new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ EarringsTake a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry ServiceThe new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
MajorsOct 16, 2025
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Catalog Is Out, and It’s SpectacularThe holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ CollectionThe brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy CoreyCorey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
CrimeOct 15, 2025
Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for 2023 Murder of Colorado JewelerCharles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MADThe Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
JCK, Luxury to Debut New Watch Section in Vegas Next YearTimepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.
AuctionsOct 15, 2025
Christie's Announces New Jewelry Department LeadershipThe auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom DixonAs chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper FlaggThe parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of SalesJewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
