In a market defined by more selective consumers, Sherry Smith shares why execution will be independent jewelers’ key to growth this year.
Riva Adds 2 for Sales, Product Development
The fine jewelry manufacturer has hired Richard Weisenfeld as director of sales and Wendy Ross as product developer.
New York--Riva Precision Manufacturing has hired Richard Weisenfeld and Wendy Ross for new positions in sales and product development to meet what it says is increased growth and demand.
Richard Weisenfeld is the new director of sales, with a focus on expanding customer relationships and increasing sales for Riva’s product development projects.
He has more than 40 years of experience in the jewelry industry, having held positions in marketing, sales, production, relationship management, product development and sourcing.
Weisenfeld most recently served as vice president of sales for Pranda, working with sterling silver, gemstones and gold for 11 years. He also has worked at Tecnigold S.p.A as managing director of the United States and at Rhode Island-based Armbrust Corporation.
Meanwhile, Wendy Ross has been hired as product developer.
She began in the industry as a bench jeweler at a private company, later starting a small design and contract shop in Philadelphia.
After moving to New York, she worked for Scott Kay Inc. in various roles. From there, she went on to become the director of product development for Aya Azrielant Inc., followed by vice president of product development and design at Suberi Brothers.
She also held the role of executive vice president of branded design for Aston Luxury Group, a division of Gitanjali Group, where she remained for seven years.
Founded by Ted Doudak in 1988, Riva Precision offers traditional jewelry-making, casting, setting, laser engraving, laser welding, stamping, polishing and much more out of its manufacturing facility in Brooklyn, N.Y.
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