Lab-Grown Jeweler Hires New CEO

RAPAPORT... WD Lab Grown Diamonds has appointed jewelry-industry veteranSue Rechner CEO. She will be responsible for growing the brand and expandingthe company's market reach. Rechner, who held executive roles at Movado, FrederickGoldman, Citizen and Seiko, was most recently global president of outdoorfootwear and apparel brand Merrell. She will succeed founder Clive Hill, whowill continue to be a significant shareholder and serve as an active boardmember. "Sue is exactly the kind of proven and experienced executivewe were seeking to lead WD's growth," Hill said Tuesday. "She is anentrepreneurial, results-driven leader with proven business, brand-developmentand operational expertise. With significant experience in watch, jewelry andconsumer products, we believe Sue is the perfect fit to lead WD through its nextphase of growth." Rechner's hire is the next step toward reaching a largeraudience, after the Washington, DC-based company received funding from Huron Capital last year, the company explained. "Huron Capital believes in the potential of this market, sawan opportunity to provide growth capital, and also plans to help develop thehuman capital to position the company for success," said Mike Beauregard,senior partner at Huron. "I am confident Sue is the right leader to furtheraccelerate its growth trajectory in the right way." The synthetics industry is in a "significant" growthphase, at a time when consumers are seeking more knowledge about the origin oftheir stones, Rechner explained. "I see WD as a leading force in transforming an industrythat has been historically plagued by traceability issues, which is an issue ofgrowing importance with an increasing number of conscientious consumers," shesaid. Image: Sue Rechner. (WD Lab Grown Diamonds)