Tweet

Comments

Save E-mail

Send this URL to a friend:

* - Denotes a required field.
Your Name*
Your Email Address*
Friend's Name*
Friend's Email Address*
Subject*
Message*

Print

New York--After 17 years at the helm of the Jewelers of America, Matthew A. Runci will retire at the end of this year, the organization announced Thursday afternoon.

Runci informed the JA Executive Committee of his decision during its semi-annual governance meetings in New York on Jan. 6, where he thanked board members past and present for their longstanding support and pledged to support transition plans in the year ahead.

His retirement will be effective Dec. 31.

A search committee will begin work shortly to find Runci’s successor. JA has been working on formal succession planning for the CEO position since 2009, engaging independent advisors to help the board define the CEO’s role responsibilities and competencies.

JA has asked Runci to remain on board during the transition period and to continue to assist the association with its work in the area of responsible business practices in 2013.

“Matt’s contribution to Jewelers of America and its industry leadership role, both nationally and internationally, is immeasurable,” said JA Board Chair Georgie Gleim of Gleim the Jeweler in Palo Alto, Calif. “In addition to strengthening good governance practices at JA and developing an active and dedicated board of directors, he was instrumental in the formation of the Responsible Jewellery Council and has been involved from the start with the Kimberley Process. Our industry owes him a debt of gratitude. His dedication to JA has ensured that a transition to new leadership will be a smooth process, positioning the organization for its future.”

Runci joined JA as president and CEO in 1995. He previously had served as CEO of Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America, where he held several positions over a 16-year span. Prior to that, he taught international politics, law and foreign policy at the university level.

He has a Ph.D. in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia and a bachelor’s in history from Boston College. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the 24 Karat Club of New York City and is a past president of the Boston Jewelers Club.

Runci and his wife Laraine reside in Connecticut. They have two children and six grandchildren.