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Retail And Brand News: Cathy Calhoun, CGA, Receives AGS’s Shipley Award; Royal Chain Adds Rep April 12, 2017 (0 comments)

Hollywood, CA—Cathy Calhoun, CGA, owner of Calhoun Jewelers in Royersford, PA, is the 2017 recipient of the American Gem Society’s top honor, its Robert M. Shipley Award. AGS members presented her with the award at the Society’s annual Conclave last week. She’s pictured here with Clayton Bromberg, a past Shipley Award winner.

Calhoun was chosen for the award because of on her commitment to the jewelry industry and her outstanding service and dedication to the American Gem Society. She is a longtime member of the AGS board of directors and served as the organization’s president from 2010 to 2012. She was instrumental in AGS buying the remaining shares of AGS Laboratories in 2012.

In 2014, Calhoun was awarded the first-ever Sallie Morton Award at the AGS Conclave in San Diego, CA. She was honored with that award for her vision and hard work in helping the AGS grow its local Guilds. The Pennsylvania-based Keystone Guild, of which Calhoun also served as president, was a blueprint for emerging Guilds across the United States.

Her service to the jewelry industry at large also is extensive. In 2008, Calhoun was named the Pennsylvania Jeweler of the Year. She currently serves on the board of directors of Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. as chair of the Investment Committee, and on the boards of Jewelers for Children, the Diamond Empowerment Fund, and Jewelers of America.

“Cathy is an icon in our industry. She’s contributed her time, energy and incredible ideas to the American Gem Society and other important jewelry organizations—and she has done all of it without compensation as a volunteer,” said Fred Weber, chair of the committee responsible for selecting the Shipley Award winner. “AGS is fortunate to enjoy a culture of dedicated members, and Cathy is a perfect example. She’s made a positive impact in all of her endeavors for her community and the jewelry industry, and has truly earned the Shipley award.” 

Separately, AGS also presented several other awards during the recent Conclave. The Young Titleholder Award was presented to Anna Samsonova, CGA, of Ben Bridge Jeweler, for her exemplary service to the Young Titleholder Committee and to the AGS. The Guild of the Year Award was presented to the Cincinnati Guild and the Sallie Morton Award was presented to long-time AGS member Adam Graham. “As one of our first speakers, Adam traveled the country, going tirelessly to one meeting after the other, whenever we asked,” said Marc Altman, CGA, chair of the AGS International Guilds. “As busy as his life is, he never said no to us.”

The John J. Kennedy Award was presented to Detective Carol Mosher of the Los Angeles Police Department. This award was named after Mr. Kennedy as a tribute to his leadership in the Jewelry Security Alliance, and for his advocacy and service to the security of the jewelry industry. The award is given to law enforcement professionals who have gone above and beyond to help members of the jewelry industry protect their stores and their teams from theft and other criminal activity.

“Detective Mosher has been one of the country's most active task force officers dealing with jewelry crime and has arrested dozens of international criminals. Carol is an advisor to law enforcement agencies across the U.S. and is a guest speaker at many events,” said Altman. 

Finally, the 2017 AGS Board of Directors was elected during the Membership Breakfast on April 8. They are as follows:

Executive Committee: 
President: Scott Berg, CG; President-Elect: John Carter, CGA; Secretary: Michael Richards, CG; Senior Advisor: Georgie Gleim, CG; Treasurer: Frank Brown, RJ

Chairs:

• AGS Laboratories Advisory Committee: Clayton Bromberg, CG
• Conclave Committee: Alexis Padis, CGA
• Education Committee: Lisa Bridge, CG
• Finance, Audit and Legal: Frank Brown, RJ
• Gemological Science Committee: Michael Richards, CG
• International Guild Council: Marc Altman, CGA
• Marketing Committee: Scott Udell
• Membership Committee and Grievance & Review Committee: Kelly Newton, CGA

Directors-at-Large include Scott Murphy, Beryl Raff, Yancy Weinrich, Ronald “Ronnie” VanderLinden, and Stewart Wicht.

 

Royal Chain Recruits Tim O’Neal As New Sales Representative

New York, NY--Royal Chain Group has hired Tim O’Neal as its newest sales representative. O’Neal will be serving Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and most of Iowa. He brings more than 40 years' sales experience to the position, having worked for a broad range of well-known companies such as Aurafin, Kim International, and Belair Watches, to name a few. In the course of his career, O’Neal has cultivated and maintained successful relationships with more than 200 independent retail jewelers.  With O’Neal’s hiring, The Royal Chain Group has one of the largest jewelry sales forces in the nation and their team covers all fifty states.