Majors

Richline’s Dave Meleski Takes Over as RJC Chair

MajorsMar 13, 2024

Richline’s Dave Meleski Takes Over as RJC Chair

He succeeds David Bouffard, who is leaving Signet and the RJC next month.

Dave Meleski
The Responsible Jewellery Council has elected Dave Meleski, president and CEO of Richline Group, as its new chair.
London—The Responsible Jewellery Council has elected a new chair.

Dave Meleski, president and CEO of Richline Group, has stepped into the role, succeeding former Chair David Bouffard of Signet Jewelers, who is stepping down from his positions at both RJC and Signet in April.

Elected in 2018, Bouffard served two three-year terms as RJC chair.

Both Signet and Richline were founding members of the organization.

“I am excited to follow David Bouffard as chair and thank him for his leadership these past six years. I look forward to working with our entire board of directors to push the RJC to even greater reach in my term as chair,” said Meleski.

“It is a critical time for the RJC to continue to grow and lead the global supply chain in setting standards for our industry.” 

Richline, he said, has worked to “promote the importance of the RJC as our singular voice for compliance standards since its inception.”

 Related stories will be right here … 

Bouffard, who also serves as Signet’s fellow of industry affairs, reflected on his time as RJC chair.

“It has been an honor to serve as the chair of the RJC for six years, a truly challenging yet rewarding experience of a lifetime, especially representing Signet, one of the RJC’s founding members,” he said.

Over the last 20 years, he said, companies like Signet and Richline have helped RJC to grow from the 14 founding members to its current membership of more than 1,800.

Melanie Grant, executive director of RJC, shared her gratitude to Bouffard.

“Thanks to David for providing great wisdom and support as chair during my first year as executive director,” she said. “I’ll be sad to see him go but excited at the prospect of this new era under Dave’s leadership as the RJC goes from strength to strength.” 

Grant will report directly to Meleski while Edward Asscher will remain vice chair of the RJC.

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