Independents

IJO Adds 3 New Board Members

IndependentsFeb 05, 2024

IJO Adds 3 New Board Members

The organization’s new president Stephen Barnes is also stepping down from the board.

John Herold, Todd Bazar, Allison Peck
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 … 

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. 


The Latest

Stock image of people shopping in a mall
SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRF

The National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.

Tallulah Willis’ Engagement Ring
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With Magic

The 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.

158.2-carat yellow diamond from Diavik
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond

Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Buccellati Naturalia exhibition
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in Milan

The multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.

Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on Tariffs

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

Bea Bongiasca Animali Tarallo Collection Royal Blue Tang Fish “Dory”
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a Zoo

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For Now

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Natural color diamonds on display at Smithsonian National Museum of History
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Punchmark
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client Workshop

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

×

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