 |
 |
|
Diamond Council Board
Close
|
Terry Chandler
President/CEO
|
His 22 year retail jewelry career began in Paducah, Kentucky as a trainee for what was then a small family-owned chain of four jewelry stores, Michelson Jewelers, Inc. During his almost 21 year career he was a store manager, supervisor, Senior Vice President, and partner, in the chain which grew to twelve stores.
Terry has been involved in every aspect of the retail jewelry industry including training, operations, development, management, and, now, distance education and association management.
He accepted the full time role of President/CEO of the Diamond Council in February of 2001 and oversees the organizations day to day operations at their Nashville, Tennessee offices. Upon assuming the position, Chandler worked with Performance Concepts and other industry resources to completely update both DCA’s Diamond and Colored Gemstone courses. Chandler also led a two year project to gain re-accreditation from the prestigious Distance Education and Training Council in Washington, D.C. which was granted by DETC in January of 2005.
During his tenure, the Diamond Council has grown from seventy members representing approximately twelve hundred stores to one of the industry’s leading education and training resources with over two hundred members representing over four thousand retail jewelry stores in the United States and Canada.
Before becoming DCA President, he served on the DCA board for twelve years. He is also a member of the DeBeers USA Carat Club and serves as a director on the Boards of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Jewelers Charity Fund, and the Advisory Board of the Atlanta Jewelry Show. He is also a member of the 24 Karat Club Southeastern United States and serves on the Board and Executive Committee of that organization.
Terry is a 1994 inductee into Alpha Beta Kappa, the National Honor Society of the Diamond Council of America.
Quote: “Essentially, the sale of jewelry at the retail level depends on the sales associate who now, more than ever, must meet the challenge of being an educated and informed professional able to communicate accurately and effectively about the products he or she sells. DCA and I are committed to doing all we possibly can to help them accomplish their goals.”
|
|
Close
|
Steve Velasquez
Past Chairman
|
President, Chief Operating Officer
Gitanjali Retail USA
Steve Velasquez began his career as a Store Manager for Barry’s Jewelers in 1993. He held positions of Area Manager and District Manager.
Samuels Jewelers took over the company and moved the corporate offices from Monrovia, CA to Austin, TX in 1998. Steve became Director of Operations, driving sales and focusing on training (all meetings and the National Conference), special events and the roll outs of new programs, such as extended service plans.
Steve then went on to launch the Samuels Diamonds division, which is a higher end, free stand store concept focusing on brands (i.e. Scott Kay, Ritani) and a great in-store experience with extremely knowledgeable teams giving presentations focused on 4Cs, product knowledge and adding value through expertise. DCA and other training and educational programs played a large role in the success of this division.
Gitanjali, an Indian based company, purchased Samuels Jewelers and Steve worked with the management team on the transition of ownership and management, as well as the later transition of the Rogers Ltd. acquisition. Steve later became Vice President of Advertising and then Senior Vice President of Operations, overseeing all store sales and operations for the company.
Steve helped build the company’s network, marketing, programming, social media, production, operations, and the multi-platform business models of Andrews Jewelers, Rogers Jewelers, Samuels Diamonds, Samuels Jewelers, and Schubach Jewelers.
In 2012, Steve left Gitanjali and served as Chief Operating Officer of Madison Jewelers in New York. He took the 5 store chain, dealing in diamond fashion, color and luxury Swiss timepieces, and grew the organization to 10 stores in Manhattan in 18 months.
In March of 2014, Steve rejoined Gitanjali as President and COO and now is focused on driving growth for the company which he served with for so many years. Steve is a forward-thinking, energetic leader with a proven track-record of growing revenue through innovative products and partnerships. He is an expert at operations with a focus on training, jewelry education and in store experience driven by the best sales teams providing the best presentations.
|
|
Close
|
Chuck Kuba
Chairman
|
IOWA DIAMOND
President & Owner
Chuck Kuba is the president and owner of Iowa Diamond in Des Moines. Prior to founding Iowa Diamond in 1999 with his wife Lynn, Mr. Kuba served as executive vice president and general manager of Nebraska Diamond in Lincoln, a company that was established by his family in 1980.
Mr. Kuba is an expert in high-demographic marketing with over 40 years of experience, 24 of them in the diamond and jewelry industries. His father was a lapidary who cut colored gemstones for the trade and his grandfather manufactured men’s rings and was a pioneer in jewelry metallurgy. Mr. Kuba’s cousin taught jewelry making and design at the Gemological Institute of America and his sister is a co-founder of Nebraska Diamond. With wife Lynn, who is senior vice president, daughters Jennifer and Melissa, and two grandchildren that have joined the company part-time, Iowa Diamond is now a fifth-generation jeweler.
Previously, Mr. Kuba was employed as an account executive with a major Midwest advertising agency, as publisher of Performing Arts magazine, general director of the Lyric Opera of Dallas, director of marketing and communications of The Dallas Opera, assistant executive director for institutional advancement of the Asolo Center for Performing Arts, and as director of marketing for the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra.
As a sales and marketing consultant, Mr. Kuba has worked for a variety of clients, including Ford Motor Company, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Texas Heart and Texas Children’s Hospital, Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation in Houston, The Texas Clinical Research Center, the Lied Center for Performing Arts, The Nebraska Repertory Theatre, and the Magna Carta in America Foundation for touring and development.
In the area of community service, Mr. Kuba currently serves as president of the Des Moines Area Religious Council (which supplies the food for 13 food pantries) and past president of the Iowa Jewelers Association. Previously, he served as both vice president and treasurer of the Des Moines Metro Opera and as a founding member of the Clive Public Arts Advisory Commission. A professional musician himself (double bass), he is a board member of Music Under The Stars and plays regularly with the “Java Jews” Klezmer band and the “Iowa Diamondtaires”, the house band for Iowa Diamond. He is also a former member of the board of directors of Temple B’nai Jeshurun in Des Moines.
Nationally, Mr. Kuba was appointed by the Secretary of State to serve on the Florida Strategic Cultural Planning Taskforce and was invited by the National Endowment for the Arts and Southern Arts Federation to participate as a panelist on outreach programs and the Americans With Disability Act. He also served on Grants Review Panels for the states of Florida and Texas as well as the Nebraska Arts Council. He is a former member of the Nebraska Public Radio Citizens Advisory Board, former president of the Nebraska Brass, and former board member of the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra Association. He is the former president of the Jewish Federation of Lincoln Nebraska and continues to be a member in good standing of Holland Lodge No.1 AF&AM of Houston, Texas.
Mr. Kuba holds a Graduate Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America, a Bachelor of Arts degree in non-profit management from the University of Nebraska, has held a teaching assistantship at Florida Atlantic University, and continues to lecture at college campuses on monopoly and oligopoly in the diamond industry as well as marketing, advertising and public relations. He has been accepted as an Accredited Senior Gemologist by the Accredited Gemologists Association, is registered as a Certified Diamontologist with the Diamond Council of America and has the distinction of being a Jewelers of America Certified Senior Management Professional. He has taken best-in-show, first and second place awards in Iowa Jewelers Association Design Competitions and designed the Championship Ring for the Dirt Track Truck Racing Association.
Under his leadership, Iowa Diamond has grown rapidly and was named to the Inc 5000 as one of the fastest growing private companies in the country by Inc. Magazine in 2007. In 2012, the company was awarded the IJO National Recognition Award as the Best Family Diamond Store in America. Iowa Diamond has also been accepted into membership of the Independent Jewelers Organization, Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Jewelers of America, The Diamond Council of America, and the Iowa Jewelers Association, as well as the Greater Des Moines Partnership and the Better Business Bureau (A+ Rating).
Mr. Kuba has been married for 44 years to his wife Lynn, who is Senior Vice President of Iowa Diamond. They have two daughters and four grandchildren. Pastimes include playing double bass, tennis, and golf.
|
|
Close
|
David Bonaparte
Vice Chairman
|
Since 1997, David J. Bonaparte has become a major advocate of issues and events affecting the jewelry industry. As President & CEO of Jewelers of America, the leading network of the most trusted businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace in North America, Dave oversees the association`s strategic direction to expand the association`s membership and strengthen the organization in terms of both influence and resources. In 2015, he oversaw Jewelers of America’s acquisition of National Jeweler, the foremost online magazine and news source for retail jewelers.
Dave also serves an active leadership role in the areas of industry advocacy, transparency and consumer confidence both domestically and abroad. He participates in multi-stakeholder groups who share Jewelers of America’s mission to advance the industry’s ethical practices. He was the chief architect of the U.S. Jewelry Council, which has a mission to advocate on social, ethical and environmental issues that can impact the jewelry industry worldwide.
He is on the Board of Directors of the Responsible Jewellery Council, Jewelers Security Alliance and Jewelers for Children. Dave is also a longtime member of the 24 Karat Club of New York and Southern California.
Prior to his appointment as Jewelers of America`s President & CEO in 2012, he served as Senior Vice President for the JCK portfolio of products and was the Global leader for the jewelry portfolio at Reed Exhibitions for 15 years. Under his direction, the company established JCK as the brand leader for events; launched the Luxury by JCK brand, one of the industry’s most important fine jewelry events; and was responsible for JCK magazine and web products serving the jewelry industry.
|
|
Close
|
Bud Fluty
Director
|
Lucien “Bud” Fluty is a partner and serves as Vice President of Absolute Brilliance, Inc. for Sales/Marketing.
He is an industry veteran with over 30 years of diverse management experience from all sectors of the jewelry business. Bud served as Director of Special Events for the Zale Corporation prior to his joining Absolute Brilliance. Absolute Brilliance is a member of the JCV, JSA, and JIC & DCA. Bud is a member of, and certified by GIA, AGS & DCA.
|
|
Close
|
Bill Luth
Vice Chairman
|
Bill Luth began his career with Sterling Jewelers Inc. in 1988 as a Part Time Sales Associate, while attending James Madison University. After graduating, Bill decided to pursue a career with Sterling and was promoted to the role of Store Manager. Managing stores in Virginia, Maryland, and Ohio, Bill was promoted in 1997 to the role of District Manager in Western New York. In 2000 , he was promoted to the role of Vice President of Operations Administration. Bill’s current responsibilities encompass Field Repair Shops, Field Training & Development, Field Communications Technology & Logistics, Information and Analysis, as well as Policy and Procedures.
His professional leadership includes focusing on the development, execution, and implementation of all Field training programs for 17,000 field Team Members including a high level of DCA certifications within 1300+ Sterling’s jewelry stores.
|
|
Close
|
Jennifer Hammond
Director
|
As Divisional Vice President of Store Operations, Jenn Hammond leads over 1800 store teams for the world’s largest retailer of jewelry, Signet Jewelers. Jenn delivers leadership for the two largest brands, Kay and Zales.Jenn has over 26 years of experience in retail and began working at Signet as a seasonal sales associate in 2004. From there, Jenn quickly ascended into several management positions within the organization including Store Manager, District Manager, Vice President of Regional Operations, and now Divisional Vice President of all North America stores for Kay and Zales. Over her tenure with Signet, Jenn has been the recipient of many leadership awards, including District Manager of the Year. Jenn attributes career growth and success to building great teams, making significant investments into their training and development, while encouraging collaboration and diversity.Jenn is a Partner in Hope with St. Jude, leading charitable giving efforts through the partnership between Signet & St Jude. A 2005 graduate of DCA-diamond course, she also attended Boise State University on an academic scholarship with a focus on business management.
|
|
Close
|
Dan Casanova
Secretary/Treasurer
|
Dan started in the jewelry business in August of 1978 as a goldsmith with Riddle’s Jewelry in Aberdeen, SD. He worked as a goldsmith and in sales for seven years and then became the manager of Riddle’s in Aberdeen in 1985. Dan continued to manage the store in Aberdeen and also began working as a district manager in 1992. He then moved to the corporate office in June 2001 as Vice President of Riddle’s Jewelry. Dan has been in the jewelry business for 31 years and still continues on occasion to custom design and make jewelry for some of his customers.
Dan is DCA Diamond certified, DCA Colored Gemstone certified, and has several GIA certificates. Dan is a GIA Diamonds Graduate and an Accredited Jewelry Professional (GIA).
Dan has been married to his wife Karla for 32 years and they have two children, Jordan and Jessica and one grandchild, Delanie.
|
|
Close
|
Kate Peterson
Director
|
Kate Peterson has over 25 years’ experience in retailing, in every capacity of management, operations and training, in companies ranging in size from 1 to 1000 stores, having held senior operations and training executive positions with JB Robinson Jewelers, Kay Jewelers, Sterling, Inc. and Littman Jewelers prior to founding Performance Concepts.
Ms. Peterson is a member of the Board of Directors of the Diamond Council of America. She is also the Training and Performance consultant to the Leading Jewelers of the World, an organization of high-end fine jewelers committed to providing the Ultimate Jewelry Buying Experience. Along with her Performance Concepts’ team, Kate provides training and business consultation services to retailers, manufacturers and trade organizations worldwide. She has conducted workshops for education programs held in conjunction with JA International Jewelry Shows as well as JA Regional conferences, Couture International, The Centurion Show and the JCK Shows and has appeared at numerous other trade venues. She is a Contributing Editor for Jewelers’ Circular Keystone Magazine and In Store Magazine and is a member of the Curriculum Advisory Board of the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Performance Concepts, Inc. provides professional, product and organizational development at all levels of sales, operations, production and management, while paying particular attention to the learning styles and performance patterns of the career retailer and the behaviors and purchase patterns of the luxury consumer. Performance Concepts was founded to meet the education, training and business development needs of specialty retailers and their suppliers. We provide innovative, practical and affordable products and services, specifically designed with the retail user in mind. We design and deliver professional and organizational development and training at both the sales and management levels, while paying particular attention to the learning styles and performance patterns of the career retailer.
|
|

|
President/CEO
Terry Chandler
Diamond Council of America
Nashville, TN
|
|

|
Past Chairman
Steve Velasquez
Madison Jewelers
New York, NY
|
|

|
Chairman
Chuck Kuba
Iowa Diamond
West Des Moines, IA
|
|

|
Director
Peter Engel
-
Portland, OR
|
|

|
Vice Chairman
David Bonaparte
Jewelers of America
New York, NY
|
|

|
Director
Bud Fluty
Absolute Brilliance, Inc
New York, NY
|
|

|
Vice Chairman
Bill Luth
Kay Jewelers
Akron, OH
|
|

|
Director
Jennifer Hammond
Signet Jewelers
Akron, OH
|
|

|
Secretary/Treasurer
Dan Casanova
Riddles Jewelry
Rapid City, SD
|
|

|
Director
Kate Peterson
Performance Concepts
Montgomery Village, MD
|
|
|
|