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Troy, MI--The Jewelry Symposium, the jewelry industry’s annual event for the advancement of jewelry manufacturing technology, named two former Stuller employees as recipients of its recipients of its Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Dennis “Buzz” Busby, former casting director at Stuller, and Randy Welch, former senior tech process engineer at Stuller. The awards will be presented during the 2026 TJS in Detroit May 16 – 19.

[From left: Dennis "Buzz" Busby and Randy Welch]

“Both men have contributed much to the progress of fine jewelry manufacturing,” said Linus Drogs, TJS chairman. ‘Buzz’ Busby was a regular attendee at SFS (Santa Fe Symposium, the predecessor to TJS) since the beginning, attending 29 of the 34 years. He and Randy Welch were both eager to share the latest advancements in the jewelry making process. Separately and together, they have authored and co-authored presentations for SFS and other conferences.”

In 2024, both honorees retired from Stuller 2024, a manufacturer, supplier and technology developer in Lafayette, La. Busby retired after working at Stuller for more than 40 years.

The lifetime achievement award is not presented annually at TJS. The award is intended to recognize exceptional industry leaders when the timing is right. Previous awardees include Eddie Bell in 2023, the first recipient of the TJS Lifetime Achievement Award, in honor of his founding of the annual Santa Fe Symposium of Jewelry Manufacturing Technology. The second recipient was the gold technical expert Christopher Corti who was honored in 2025. Corti has more than 45 years of experience in the precious metals industry.

Lifetime achievement award winners receive a commemorative plaque and a free, full-access pass to TJS' annual symposium, for life.

For more information or event details regarding TJS, visit www.thejewelrysymposium.com, or email Jessa Cast or jessa@thejewelrysymposium.com.