JBT Appoints New Chairman

RAPAPORT... The Jewelers Board of Trade (JBT) has chosen Ann Arnold, chief strategy officer for Buyers Intelligence Group (BIG), to head its board of directors.Arnold, who was appointed at the company's April 30 board meeting, has volunteered with the JBT for nearly 12 years, and has previously served as vice chairman. She will succeed outgoing chair Mike Kaplan, the JBT said Wednesday.An industry veteran, Arnold has also been chairman and treasurer of Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA), treasurer of the New York 24 Karat Club, and president of the Women's Jewelry Association."It is critical to our growth that we continuously execute on the right strategies," said JBT president Erich Jacobs. "Ann brings a wealth of nonprofit and for-profit success and strategic vision to our organization, which will be critical in our ability to scale and meet the growing demands for industry transparency." Other new board members, alongside Arnold, are Teresa Frye, president of Techform Advanced Casting in Portland, Oregon, and Andrew Rickard, vice president of operations at RDI Diamonds in New York.Image: Ann Arnold. (Jewelers Board of Trade)