JA Elects New Chair and Directors

RAPAPORT... Jewelers of America (JA) has elected Holly Wesche, athird-generation jeweler, to head its board of directors. Wesche, who is the owner of Wesche Jewelers in Florida, willsucceed outgoing chair John Henne, the organization said last week. She waspreviously president of the Florida Jewelers Association, speaker for theJewelers Education Foundation, and vice chair of the Leading Jewelers of theWorld. "Holly Wesche has already made tremendous contributions toour board," said JA CEO David Bonaparte. "She is a brilliant businesswomanwhose passion for Jewelers of America runs deep." In addition to Wesche, the newly elected directors are asfollows: Lawrence Bock, owner and president of Texas luxury jeweler Bachendorf'sCaryl Capeci, president of Chow Tai Fook, North AmericaTobey Ritchie, vice president of Harry Ritchie's in OregonLenny Kramer, executive vice president of sales for LeoSchachter in New YorkStan Razny, owner of Razny Jewelers in ChicagoThe election took place at JA's biannual board meeting inNew York on July 30. Image: John Henne (left) and Holly Wesche (right). (Jewelers of America)