Majors

JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board Chair

MajorsApr 27, 2026

JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board Chair

The trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.

Jeff Corey
The Jewelers Board of Trade has re-elected Jeff Corey as its board chair, and named five new directors.
Warwick, R.I.—The Jewelers Board of Trade announced the results of its elections, held earlier this year during the organization’s annual general meetings.

The following officers and directors were re-elected to a one-year term on the board:

Chairman: Jeffery Corey, H. E. Murdock Company Inc., Waterville, Maine;
First Vice-Chairman: Matthijs Braakman, Retail Management Publishing Inc., Montclair, New Jersey;
Second Vice-Chairman: Annie Doresca, Jewelers of America, New York;
President and Treasurer: Andrew Rickard; and
Secretary: Brenda M. Pimentel.

There are five newly elected board members who will serve a two-year term. They are as follows.

Joshua Carmichael, director of commercial lines at Jewelers Mutual, has more than 12 years of experience in underwriting, data and analytics, and product and risk management.

Joshua Kaufman, CEO of Martin Flyer Jewelry, is a member of the third generation running the 81-year-old American jewelry brand and has worked there for 27 years. He is also a member of the 24 Karat Club of the City of New York.

Pinny Rubin, the Leslie’s brand manager at Quality Gold, has more than 40 years of industry experience.

Ronnie VanderLinden serves as president of diamond manufacturer and wholesaler Diamex Inc.

He is also president of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association, member and past president of the 24 Karat Club of the City of New York, and a member and past board member of the American Gem Society and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.

Jeffrey Weinman, executive vice president of sales at Tache USA Inc., is a fifth-generation member of the Weinman family business.

During his time at Original Designs, which is under the Tache umbrella, he has gained a comprehensive understanding of the operational, commercial, and relationship-driven sides of the jewelry business, said JBT.

The following board members have been re-elected for a two-year term:

Lika Behmoaras, ISC Industries Inc. d/b/a Lika Behar Collection, Carlstadt, New Jersey;
Roger H. Gesswein III, Paul H. Gesswein & Co., Bridgeport, Connecticut; and
Keven Peck, Color Merchants Inc., New York.

The following individuals have been re-elected to the advisory board for a two-year period:

Ann S. Arnold, Buyers International Group LLC, Napa, California; and
Michael L. Kaplan, Rocket Jewelry Box Inc., Elmsford, New York

The following board members will continue to serve their existing terms:

Matthijs Braakman, Retail Management Publishing Inc., Montclair, New Jersey;
Jeffery Corey, H. E. Murdock Company Inc., Waterville, Maine;
Thomas Davis, Select Jewelry Inc., Long Island City, New York;
Annie Doresca, Jewelers of America, New York;
Brian D. Fleming, Carla Corporation, East Providence, Rhode Island;
Arien Gessner, Rio Grande Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico;
Richard Katz, Richline Group Inc., New York; and
Maggie Pere Bernard, Stuller Inc., Lafayette, Louisiana.

In addition, the JBT board acknowledged the service of the three board members whose terms expired: Ed DeCristofaro of LDC Inc., Ira Bergman of The Gordon Company Inc.; and Teresa Frye of Techform Advanced Casting Tech LLC.

 Related stories will be right here … 

The Latest

Merle, Juanita, and Brent Staats of Staats Jewelers
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 Years

The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

Former Macy’s CEO Jeffrey Gennette
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers Board

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

Buddha Mama gold earrings hexagon emerald
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

1872x1052-NextGem-2026-National-Jeweler-Advertorial.jpg
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry Retailers

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

Clientbook Logo
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store Events

The new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.

Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Pandora lab grown diamond necklace
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond Claims

NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.

Ronnie VanderLinden and Feriel Zerouki
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President

The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.

Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las Vegas

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Glenn Spiro Old Moghul Golconda Earrings
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met Gala

She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.

Kennedy’s Jewelers tourmaline necklace
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award Winners

Two pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.

Brilliant Earth Jane Goodall olive branch necklace and earrings
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1

The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.

Kashmir sapphire ring
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry Sale

Led by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.

José Gaztelu
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEO

José Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.

Jewelers of America Logo
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship Program

It has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.

White and yellow rough diamonds from the Ekati Diamond Mine
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain Future

The owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.

Pandora lab grown diamond rings
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown Diamonds

The company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.

Heuer Monaco Le Mans
AuctionsMay 06, 2026
Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco Watch Heads to Sotheby's

Of the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.

Met Gala 2026 Beyonce, Lisa Manobal, Hailey Bieber
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met Gala

Megan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.

Doug Hucker
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His Roots

Following decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.

New York City FC winning the Philip F. Anschutz MLS Cup Trophy in 2021
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
AMNH to Showcase Famous Jewelry, Trophies in Sports History

The museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.

Exhibitor at JIS
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
JIS Launches Brand Exposure Program

The new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.

Melanie Georgacopoulos Eclipse Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsMay 04, 2026
Melanie Georgacopoulos Turns Pearls Into Light for ‘Eclipse’ Collection

The “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.

National Jeweler columnist Sherry Smith, partner at The Retail Smiths
ColumnistsMay 04, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show Buying

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

Mugshot of 20-year-old Landen Julian Ballard of Vero Beach, Florida
CrimeMay 04, 2026
Pawn Shop Manager Shot, Killed in Florida

Lazaro Rodriguez Vega was murdered inside Cash Out Gold and Silver in Fort Pierce. A 20-year-old man has been charged in the case.

Gild Zadok, Segev Zadok, and Jonathan Zadok at Austin park
IndependentsMay 04, 2026
Zadok Jewelers, Austin Parks Foundation Support Wildflower Preservation

A portion of every engagement ring sold in its Austin showroom will support the care and preservation of Austin’s wildflowers and green spaces.

Gemist new retailer offering
TechnologyMay 01, 2026
Gemist, Saban Onyx Partner on Retailer-Focused Customization Offering

Their partnership combines Gemist’s customization technology with Saban Onyx’s U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities.

Hand putting gas pump in car
SurveysMay 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Inches Up in April Despite Rising Gas Prices

Respondents were concerned about the Middle East conflict and how it will impact their finances.

×

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