MajorsApr 29, 2026
The Thought Process Behind the Mother's Day Email Opt-OutSome retailers are taking a nuanced approach to marketing what can be a difficult holiday for many.
IndependentsSep 21, 2017
Pam Mortensen Elected JFC Board Chair
She will officially begin her new role Oct. 1, alongside Jewelers for Children’s other new board members.
J.C. Penney jewelry executive Pamela Mortensen has been elected chairman of the board of Jewelers for Children.
New York--Jewelers for Children has announced changes to its board of directors, with new members beginning Oct. 1.
Pamela Mortensen, J.C. Penney’s senior vice president and general merchandise manager for fine and fashion jewelry and watches, will serve as chairman of the board. She succeeds Dennis Ulrich of the Richline Group, who was in the role for a two-year term and will continue to participate on the board as immediate past chair.
“I am thrilled to be elected as the chair of Jewelers for Children,” said Mortensen. “As a mother, I can’t think of anything more important than the work our industry does in helping children in need, and I’m honored to serve.”
Other officers elected at the annual board of directors meeting in Las Vegas in June include: Debra Puzio of Starluxe LLC, vice-president for fundraising; John White of Fossil Group, vice president for special programs; Jeffrey Cohen of Citizen Watch America, vice president for charity programs; Howard Hauben of H2 Events/Centurion Jewelry Show, vice president for marketing and public relations; Alan Zimmer of Reeds Jewelers, treasurer; and Sebastian Hobbs of Signet Jewelers Ltd., secretary.
Additionally, 12 new directors were elected to three-year terms and six directors were re-elected to second three-year terms.
The 12 new directors are: Debbie Azar of Gemological Science International; Chad Berg of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry; Katherine Bodoh of American Gem Society; Jack Gabriel of Gabriel & Co.; Mark Goldberg of Rolex Watch USA; Kari Gray-Hoff of Blue Nile; Steven Kaiser of Kaiser Time; Sally Morrison, previously of Gemfields; Birain Parikh of Rosy Blue; Matthew Rosenheim of Tiny Jewel Box; Steven Vardi of Vardi Company; and Steven Velasquez of Madison Jewelers.
The six re-elected directors are: Benny Hematian of B.H. Multi Corp/Effy Group; Ezriel Rapaport of Rapaport; Ashok Kumar Sancheti of Pioneer Gems; Elliot Tannenbaum of Leo Schachter Diamonds; Rhonda Violet of Assurant; and Eric Zuckerman of Pac Team Group.
The nine directors who concluded their terms on the board are: former AGS and AGS Labs CEO Ruth Batson; Jim DeMattei of Viewpoint Sales and Marketing; Ellen Fruchtman of Fruchtman Marketing; Harvey Kanter of Blue Nile; Joel Schechter of Honora; Hank Siegel of Hamilton Jewelers; Laura Stanley of Laura Stanley Personal Jeweler; Stewart Wicht of Rolex Watch USA; and Ulrich Wohn.
“We are fortunate to have so many talented individuals serving on the board and we greatly thank them for their service to the charity,” said Mortensen.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
SourcingApr 29, 2026
De Beers’ Production Rises, Market Remains ‘Challenged’De Beers’ diamond production was up 17 percent in Q1, boosted by increased output at its mines in South Africa and Canada.
AuctionsApr 29, 2026
This'll Be the Day You Own John Wayne's RingA signet ring belonging to the Western film star of Hollywood’s Golden Age will be up for auction at Elmwood’s next month.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
Doug Hucker Retires From ICAThe colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
