FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Sue Fritz - 800 336-5642 ext. 2380; sfritz@jminsure.com
Michelle Orman - (212) 924-5588; Michelle@LupRocks.com
WJA announces nominees for Awards for Excellence
June 2009 – The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) announces 24 nominees for its seven Awards for Excellence categories. The nominees and recipients will be recognized at the association’s annual gala on Monday, July 27 at Pier 60 in New York City.
Each year, WJA solicits its membership for nominees who excel in various areas of the jewelry industry. The categories and nominees for 2009 include:
Design - Fine Jewelry
• Katey Brunini, K. Brunini Jewelry, Solana Beach, CA
• Ann Lagos, Lagos, Philadelphia, PA
• Pamela Froman, Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry, Los Angeles
Manufacturer/Dealer/Supplier
• Joanne Slawitsky, Kassoy, Plainview, NY
• Victoria Tse, Christian Tse, Pasadena, CA
• Gena Alulis, Cliq by Superfit, King of Prussia, PA
Retail
• Bea Speich, Macy’s, New York City
• Cathy Calhoun, Calhoun Jewelers, Royersford, PA
• Ellen Lacy, Lacy & Co. and Wood Jewelers, El Paso, TX
• Kathy Corey, Day’s Jewelers, Waterville, ME
• Lula Halfacre, Traditional Jewelers, Newport Beach, CA
Sales and Merchandising
• Virginia Stuller, Stuller, Lafayette, LA
• Georgia Fleming, Veranda, New York City
• Robin Lutin, JCK Magazine, Los Angeles
Marketing and Communications
• Brandee Dallow, Julius Klein, New York City
• Michelle Orman and Jessica Cohen, Lup, New York City
• Michelle Peranteau – Platinum Guild International, Newport Beach, CA
Editorial/Reporting/Publishing
• Cheryl Kremkow, Modern Jeweler, New York City
• Danielle Max, IDEX Magazine, Tel Aviv, Israel
• Sophia Chabbot, Women’s Wear Daily, New York City
Special Services
• Patti Geolat, Geolat Companies, Dallas; Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, Neenah, WI
• Dionne Kenyon, Jewelers Board of Trade, Warwick, R.I.
• Judith Shechter, Gemological Institute of America, Carlsbad, CA
A WJA committee will make the final selection of award recipients based on contributions to the jewelry industry and the Women’s Jewelry Association. Said WJA president, Yancy Weinrich, “These women serve as role models for all of us in the jewelry industry. Not only do they have successful careers, but all of them have found ways to give back to this industry and their communities.”
WJA also will honor fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg with its 2009 “Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement” Award and Matt Runci, president and CEO of Jewelers of America, with its “Ben Kaiser Award.” In a new category this year, WJA selected the Gemological Institute of America to receive its “Corporate Award for Excellence.”
This year, WJA moved the gala from its usual Sunday schedule during the JA New York Show to Monday, July 27.
The Women’s Jewelry Association, founded in 1983, is the preeminent association of professional women in the jewelry, watch and related businesses. WJA, which operates through a national office headquartered in Chicago Ridge, IL, comprises a network of 13 regional chapters and an International Affiliate Chapter in India. Members benefit from educational and networking opportunities, scholarships, grants, design competitions, annual business conferences, and recognition programs, such as its annual Awards for Excellence gala. For more information on WJA and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.womensjewelry.org or call the national office at 708-361-6266.
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