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Wilkerson's Russ Whitehouse Retires
The industry veteran is bringing his 56-year run in the fine jewelry sector to an end.
Russ Whitehouse, a gemologist and retailer who has spent more than 50 years in the jewelry industry, has retired.
New Braunfels, Texas—Longtime jewelry retailer Russ Whitehouse has retired.
Business consulting firm Wilkerson, where he worked for the past 12 years, made the announcement in late May.
Whitehouse has been in the jewelry industry for more than five decades, beginning his career in November 1969 with the Jewel Box Stores Corp. in Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
There, he completed two foundational 18-month management trainee stints with Carlyle & Co., the company's upscale division.
He earned his Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America in 1974 and went on to work at the Jewel Box Diamond buying office at 580 Fifth Avenue in New York City.
In 1975, he moved to Rochester, New York, where he served as the general manager and diamond buyer for Manns Jewelers.
A few years later, in 1979, he launched Court Street Jewelers in New Braunfels, Texas, operating the business for more than a decade.
Starting in 1991, he served as general manager and buyer at Ira’s Diamond World, overseeing a four-store regional chain out of Bluefield, West Virginia.
Prior to joining Wilkerson as director of operations in 2014, Whitehouse worked in sales in the Southwest at Bellarri International and Leslie’s Gold, according to his LinkedIn.
"I was blessed by always being around super people, and I love jewelry," Whitehouse said.
Wilkerson thanked Whitehouse for his integrity, passion, and mentorship, and wished him the best in a “well-deserved” retirement.
Related stories will be right here …
Business consulting firm Wilkerson, where he worked for the past 12 years, made the announcement in late May.
Whitehouse has been in the jewelry industry for more than five decades, beginning his career in November 1969 with the Jewel Box Stores Corp. in Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
There, he completed two foundational 18-month management trainee stints with Carlyle & Co., the company's upscale division.
He earned his Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America in 1974 and went on to work at the Jewel Box Diamond buying office at 580 Fifth Avenue in New York City.
In 1975, he moved to Rochester, New York, where he served as the general manager and diamond buyer for Manns Jewelers.
A few years later, in 1979, he launched Court Street Jewelers in New Braunfels, Texas, operating the business for more than a decade.
Starting in 1991, he served as general manager and buyer at Ira’s Diamond World, overseeing a four-store regional chain out of Bluefield, West Virginia.
Prior to joining Wilkerson as director of operations in 2014, Whitehouse worked in sales in the Southwest at Bellarri International and Leslie’s Gold, according to his LinkedIn.
"I was blessed by always being around super people, and I love jewelry," Whitehouse said.
Wilkerson thanked Whitehouse for his integrity, passion, and mentorship, and wished him the best in a “well-deserved” retirement.
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