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AGS to honor award recipients at Distinction dinner

OtherMay 12, 2014

AGS to honor award recipients at Distinction dinner

Lee Berg, Doug Hucker and Joel Schechter are the American Gem Society’s 2014 Circle of Distinction honorees and will be recognized at a dinner at the Plaza Hotel.

Las Vegas--Lee Berg, Doug Hucker and Joel Schechter are the American Gem Society’s 2014 Circle of Distinction honorees and will be recognized at a dinner at the Plaza Hotel.

The AGS is honoring Lee Berg, CEO of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, which has stores in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi, with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Receiving the Triple Zero Award will be Doug Hucker, CEO of the American Gem Trade Association, and Honora CEO Joel Schechter. Honora is now a division of the Richline Group.

“The contribution (these honorees) have made throughout their career to the jewelry industry is significant,” AGS CEO Ruth Batson said. “Lee is a revered industry leader and a mentor to many. Doug is a good friend to not only the American Gem Society, but he’s a tireless advocate for members of the AGTA. Joel has volunteered with numerous organizations in the industry, and is a shining example of leadership through volunteer service.”

The AGS Circle of Distinction dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, July 29 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails and the awards presentation is at 7:30.

To order tickets or learn about advertising opportunities, contact Lauren Ruggeroli at 866-805-6500 ext. 1005 or lruggeroli@ags.org.

Editor's note: This story was corrected to reflect the fact that the Circle of Distinction dinner will take place on a Tuesday night (July 29), not Wednesday as previously reported. Also, the Circle of Distinction dinner will take place in July, not next month as previously stated.

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

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