The provided sources detail the leadership and organizational structure of Jewelers of America (JA), a national trade association representing the retail jewelry industry. While the documents do not focus on a specific gemstone, they offer insight into the key players and businesses involved in the sale and distribution of fine jewelry, including birthstones, within the United States. This article will synthesize the information available to provide an overview of the JA’s leadership, the companies they represent, and the geographic distribution of these businesses.
Organizational Structure and Leadership
Jewelers of America operates with an Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and various officers. As of the provided information, Coleman Clark of BC Clark Jewelers in Oklahoma City serves as Chair, with Matthew Rosenheim of Tiny Jewel Box in Washington, D.C., as Chair-Elect. Steve Padis of Padis Jewelry in San Francisco and Elise Greenberg of Greenberg’s Jewelers in Sioux City hold the positions of Vice Chairs. Steve Velasquez of Madison Jewelers in New York City is the Secretary, and Karen Goracke of Borsheims in Omaha is the Treasurer. Robert F. Moeller II of R.F. Moeller Jeweler in St. Paul is the Immediate Past Chair.
This structure indicates a leadership team drawn from a diverse range of regional jewelry businesses, suggesting a broad representation of the industry’s interests. The roles of President & Owner, CEO, and VP of Merchandising are frequently represented, highlighting the importance of both business management and product selection within the organization.
Represented Businesses and Geographic Distribution
The sources list a significant number of individual jewelers and companies represented within Jewelers of America. These businesses span a wide range of scales, from independent, family-owned stores to large national chains.
Several prominent businesses are explicitly named. Bachendorf’s, led by Lawrence Bock, operates in Dallas, Texas. Day’s Jewelers, under Joseph Corey’s leadership, is based in Scarborough, Maine. Macy’s, with Kim Crawford as VP Divisional Business Manager, represents a major national presence in New York City. Weston Jewelers, founded and led by Edward Dikes, is located in Weston, Florida. Robbins Brothers Jewelers, with Sue Hopeman as VP of Merchandising, operates out of Azusa, California. Sheryl Jones Inc., headed by Sheryl Jones, is based in New York City. Fred Meyer Jewelers, with Julie Keeney as Vice President, is situated in Portland, Oregon. Leo Schachter, with Lenny Kramer as EVP Sales, is also located in New York City. Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry, owned by Valerie Madison, is in Seattle, Washington. Rogers Jewelry Co., led by Robert Marks, is in Modesto, California. Finally, TIVOL Jewelers, a fourth-generation family business now led by Hunter Tivol McGrath, is based in Kansas City, Missouri. Borsheims, led by Karen Goracke, is located in Omaha, Nebraska.
This list demonstrates a geographically diverse representation of the jewelry industry across the United States. Businesses are represented from the East Coast (Maine, Florida, New York, Washington D.C.), the West Coast (California, Washington, Oregon), the Midwest (Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska), and the Pacific Northwest. This broad geographic spread suggests that Jewelers of America aims to represent the interests of jewelers nationwide.
Business Models and Industry Experience
The backgrounds of the individuals listed provide insight into the diverse business models and levels of experience within the industry. Several leaders, such as Lawrence Bock and Hunter Tivol McGrath, are Presidents or Owners of their respective companies, indicating a strong entrepreneurial spirit and long-term commitment to the jewelry business. Hunter McGrath’s background is particularly noteworthy, as he began as a sales associate and diamond buyer before rising to the position of CEO, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the industry from the ground up. His CPA designation also suggests a strong financial acumen.
Other leaders, like Kim Crawford and Julie Keeney, hold Vice President positions within larger corporations (Macy’s and Fred Meyer Jewelers, respectively), indicating experience in managing large-scale merchandising and retail operations. The presence of individuals like Lenny Kramer, an EVP of Sales for Leo Schachter, highlights the importance of diamond sourcing and distribution within the industry.
The Role of Jewelers of America
While the sources do not explicitly detail the specific activities of Jewelers of America, the composition of its leadership suggests a focus on representing the interests of retail jewelers, promoting ethical practices, and adapting to changing market trends. The inclusion of individuals with experience in both independent stores and large corporations indicates a commitment to serving the needs of a diverse membership base. The emphasis on financial expertise (as seen in Hunter McGrath’s background) suggests a focus on the economic health of the industry.
Limitations of the Sources
The provided sources are limited in scope. They primarily focus on the leadership structure of Jewelers of America and do not offer detailed information about specific gemstones, their properties, or their significance as birthstones. The information is also static, representing a snapshot in time (2024-2025) and may not reflect changes in leadership or organizational structure. Furthermore, the sources do not provide information about the size or revenue of the represented businesses, making it difficult to assess their relative importance within the industry.
Conclusion
The available sources provide a valuable overview of the leadership and geographic distribution of Jewelers of America and the businesses it represents. The organization’s leadership team comprises experienced professionals from a diverse range of companies and locations, suggesting a broad representation of the retail jewelry industry. While the sources do not directly address the topic of birthstones, they offer insight into the key players involved in the sale and distribution of these gemstones within the United States. The limited scope of the sources necessitates further research to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the industry and the role of Jewelers of America within it.