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New York--Executive changes at two of the nation’s largest jewelry retailers--Sterling Jewelers Inc. and J.C. Penney Co. Inc.--were among the personnel changes that took place in November.

On Nov. 28, Akron, Ohio-based Sterling Jewelers announced that Clark McEwen, formerly the global marketing manager for Rio Tinto Diamonds and, before that, an executive at lab-grown diamond company Gemesis, is the new senior vice president of strategic diamond sourcing. In this role, he will focus on the strategic development and operational execution of establishing an efficient diamond supply chain, including rough procurement and the manufacturing and distribution of polished diamonds.

McEwen has a total of 25 years’ experience in the diamond industry. In addition to Rio Tinto and Gemesis, he has held positions with BHP Billiton, Triton Trading BVBA, TDS Ltd. and Spence Diamonds Ltd.

Also in November the company announced that Crain’s Cleveland Business awarded Sterling Senior Vice President of Human Resources Steve Becker (above) with the Human Resources Executive of the Year Award in the Public Company category. He was presented with the award at Crain’s 2011 Archer Awards, which recognizes talented human resources professionals in northeast Ohio. Becker has been with Sterling Jewelers since 2005 and is credited with developing a human resources strategy that has transformed the organization.

Former Apple Inc. executives Daniel Walker and Michael Kramer joined J.C. Penney as chief talent officer and chief operating officer, respectively. Both will report directly to the company’s new CEO Ron Johnson, the former senior vice president of retail at Apple whom J.C. Penney lured away over the summer.

Leaving the company is Thomas Nealon, a group executive vice president who joined J.C. Penney in 2006, serving as chief information officer. He is stepping down to care for a seriously ill family member, the company said. His responsibilities included information technology, corporate strategy, customer insights, digital ventures and JCP.com. Those business areas will now report to Kramer.

The Diamond Development Initiative (DDI), the non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of artisanal diamond miners worldwide, announced that Patricia Syvrud, founder of Joia Consulting LLC, will be heading up program development for Friends of DDI. The program allows jewelry retailers, designers, manufacturers and suppliers to support DDI’s work on the ground in diamond mining communities while also demonstrating to their customers that the industry is aiding artisanal miners.

The Friends campaign officially will launch in early 2012. Those interested in taking a leadership role or supporting DDI can contact Syvrud at (760)-525-9393 or friends@ddiglobal.org.

Abraham (Bumi) Traub (below) is the new president of the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association (IsDMA), succeeding Moti Ganz, who served as president for the past seven years. Ganz was unanimously elected honorary president in recognition of what he achieved during his seven-year tenure.

Traub (above) has been active in the diamond industry since 1973 and has been involved in IsDMA for many years. He was named honorary president in 2007, and has headed various committees, as well as being an active director of the Israel Diamond Exchange and the Israel Diamond Institute.

U.S.-based management and consulting firm United Brands LLC announced that it has inked an affiliate agreement with MainBrace Partners LLC. MainBrace will focus on financial solutions for United Brands’ client projects, including raising investment capital, mergers and acquisitions and initial public offerings in the greater New York area. MainBrace is comprised of business executives with a wide variety of consulting, educational and advisory experiences at retail chains, foreign governments and trade associations.

Edward Lewand has joined New York-based Keno Auctions as a consultant to the firm’s new Jewelry department. Lewand has more than 30 years of experience in the jewelry industry and is a Graduate Gemologist, Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers, Certified Appraiser with the Appraisers Association of America and is a licensed insurance broker in the state of New York.

He currently runs an independent appraisal and consulting service for private and trade clients and is the Director of the Antique Jewelry and Art Conference (Jewelry Camp). Keno Auctions works with law firms, banks, trust and estate professional and private clients to provide appraisal and auction services. The next auction is scheduled for spring 2012.