ColumnistsApr 30, 2026
Peter Smith: A Sleazy Salesman and the Case for Regret Avoidance Smith uses a comment he overheard in the grocery store to remind retailers that their job is to inspire buying behavior, not just sell.
MajorsMar 31, 2016
Todd Wolleman Elected JBT Board Chair
Wolleman recently headed the search process to replace outgoing JBT President and CEO Dione Kenyon.
Warwick, R.I.--The Jewelers Board of Trade just announced the results of its annual elections, held during meetings in February and March.
Todd Wolleman, of Leo Wolleman, Inc. in New York, was elected to a one-year term as chairman of the JBT Board.
Wolleman recently chaired the search process to select a new president and CEO to replace Dione Kenyon, who has announced she will retire from the JBT this year as soon as a replacement is found.
First vice chairman is Michael Kaplan of Rocket Jewelry Box Inc. in Bronx, N.Y., while Ann Arnold, of Norwood, N.J.-based Arnold Advisory Group, was elected to serve as second vice chairwoman.
Kenyon remains the organization’s president and was elected treasurer while Brenda M. Pimentel retains her post as secretary.
Richard Katz of Samuel Aaron Inc. was appointed to the JBT Executive Committee.
Newly elected to the board for a two-year term were Ira Bergman, president of The Gordon Company Inc.; Lux Bond & Green Chief Financial Officer David Bonney; and Nilesh Sheth, president of Forever Collections Inc. in New York.
Re-elected to the board for a period of two years were: Arnold, Anthony Capuano of HSBC Bank USA, Edward DeCristofaro of LDC Inc., Roderick Lichtenfels of W. R. Cobb Company, Richard Weisenfeld of East Greenwich, R.I. and Wolleman.
Newly elected to the organization’s Advisory Board for a two-year term was Phyllis Bergman of Mercury Ring, while Richard Greenwood of A. F. Greenwood Co. Inc. and F. Daniel Pharr of Pharr Valuation & Business Svcs. LLC were re-elected.
In addition, the JBT announced that the nine following board members will continue to serve their existing terms:
--Jared Ashland of Appleton, Wisc.;
--Danielle Ingwer Cohen, Leo Ingwer Inc. in New York;
-- Brian Fleming, Carla Corporation in E. Providence, R.I.;
-- Kevin Green, Seiko Corporation of America in Mahwah, N.J.;
-- Kaplan of Rocket Jewelry Box;
-- Katz of Samuel Aaron Inc.;
-- Richard LeStage, LeStage Manufacturing Co. in Attleboro Falls, Mass.;
-- Avi Raz, A & Z Pearls, Inc., Los Angeles; and
-- Pinny Rubin of Quality Gold Inc. in Fairfield, Ohio.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
AuctionsApr 30, 2026
Vintage Cartier Watch Crashes Through Records, Selling for $2MBelieved to be one of three made in 1987, the Cartier London Crash was hot at the “Shapes of Cartier” sale at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.
CrimeApr 30, 2026
Masked Group Uses Hammers, Pepper Spray in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyOfficials are looking for a group that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers at an outlet mall in Round Rock, Texas, in broad daylight on April 21.
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.
Supplier BulletinApr 30, 2026
OROAREZZO 2026: The B2B Event for Italian Excellence in Goldsmith, Jewelry and Silver ManufacturingSponsored by OROAREZZO International Jewelry Exhibition
Weekly QuizApr 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsApr 29, 2026
Dick Abbott to Retire From The EdgeThe Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.
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.
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 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.
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.
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
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.
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.
