Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
Debra Puzio Takes Over as JFC Chair
She succeeds J.C. Penney’s Pamela Mortensen, who served two one-year terms as the head of Jewelers for Children’s board.

New York—Jewelers for Children announced Monday that Debra Puzio has been elected board chair of the children’s charity organization.
Puzio, who was elected at JFC’s semi-annual meeting in Las Vegas in June, is the founder and creative director of StarLuxe Branding LLC, and has been involved with JFC for more than a decade.
She called being selected JFC board chair “the ultimate honor.”
Puzio succeeds J.C. Penney’s Pamela Mortensen, who served two one-year terms.
Also elected at the Las Vegas meeting were new officers and nine new directors.
The new officers are:
John White, Balfour, elected vice president for charity programs;
Jeffrey Cohen, Citizen Watch America, vice president for fundraising;
Howard Hauben, H2 Events/Centurion Jewelry Show, vice president for special programs;
Alan Zimmer, Reeds Jewelers, vice president marketing and public relations;
Bill Luth, Signet Jewelers Ltd., secretary; and
Charles Stanley, Forevermark USA, treasurer.
Mortensen will continue as immediate past chair and chair the nominating committee.
The new directors were elected to three-year terms. They are:
Lisa Bridge, Ben Bridge Jeweler;
Adam Gerber, Goldstar Jewellery;
Rebecca Foerster, Alrosa North America;
Hannah Duguie, Day’s Jewelers,
Katie Zimmerman, Blue Nile,
Bill Luth, Signet Jewelers Ltd.;
Sid Keswani, Pandora North America;
Eric Horowitz, Citizen Watch America; and
Joshua Gilbert, Hearts On Fire.
In addition, JFC said seven directors were re-elected; they will each serve a second three-year term:
Evan Berkley, Ross-Simons;
Cora Lee Colaizzi, Quality Gold;
Rudy Chavez, A. Lange Söhne;
Jake Duneier, Clyde Duneier;
Howard Hurwitz, Howard’s Jewelry Center;
Anna Martin, Gemological Institute of America; and
Scott Saunders, London Jewelers.
Moshe Klein, of Julius Klein, concluded his time on the board.
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