Next Gen Advisory Board Introductions

BRENDON DAVIS Thomas A. Davis Jewelers 39 East 8th St., Holland, MI 49423 12 Years in the Jewelry Industry

“I honestly cannot begin to imagine what it would be like if I did not have all the friends and peers which I have met because of the Next Gen Group and RJO. Without any Next Generation how would RJO be able to continue in the future? RJO can benefit in many ways by seeing what the NG has to bring to the Industry.”

Store phone: Cell phone:

(616) 392-1626 (269) 650-0270

Store website: www.thomasadavis.com E-Mail: brendon@thomasadavis.com

Retail Jewelry Career Overview: Brief does not really explain my career but I will say that it started when I was 9 years old and in 4th grade. My father would do his custom wax carving at home to be able to at least spend a little extra time with his family. As a child I would play around, and finally decided I would carve a true ring. I carved the letter "B" and took the final silver cast ring to school where my 4 grade teacher "Mrs. Schulteis" was just amazed and made me get in front of the whole school at the gifted and talented show to tell them all how I made the ring. Well this did not go so well, I do not do well with public speaking. Either way this is really where it all began. Further through life my father thought that I would go into culinary as I still really enjoy cooking and baking. Well I came back to the store every Christmas and finally took on more of a part time role in 2002, moving into more full-time in 2003.

Current Career Roles/Responsibilities: My current role in the store hmm...well that consists of more than one thing. My current title would be store manager consisting of all the inventory buying, Cad/Cam, custom work, and hand carving still, complex bench work, manage the floor and employees, change watch batteries and I handle all the advertising.....too many hats!

Expertise/experience that contributes to current roles: • Certified Sales Associate, AGS • Registered Jeweler, AGS • Certified Diamond Setter • Graduate Diamonds, GIA • Traveled to Antwerp for Diamond Buying Additional Information: I try to have a life outside of Work ;) I am Assistant Coach Administrator AYSO (Soccer) while coaching one of my three boys in soccer. I love to be out at the lake boating in the summer. I have a 139 year old house that we have been working on for almost 12 years. I have been married for 10 years this August and have 3 wonderful boys!

KATE DICKENS Herteen & Stocker Jewelers 101 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA 52245 4 ½ Years in the Jewelry Industry

“Next Gen is so important because it allows all of us "next gen-ers" to feel we are not alone. It lets us openly discuss issues we have with our owners and co-workers and to learn how different stores operate.

It allows us to see a different side of the story, to look at problems a different way. It gives us the opportunity to be able to grow as individuals, to feel more confident in the future direction of "our" store and provides the concrete skills to get us there. It shows us that everyone takes on a different role and allows us to discuss how to better ourselves in that role. We are also able to network with people in the industry to get honest feedback on WHAT IS WORKING and what isn’t.”

Store phone: Cell phone:

(319) 338-4212 (319) 400-6601

Store website: www.herteenandstockerjewelers.com E-Mail: herteens@live.com

Retail Jewelry Career Overview: I am currently on the road to becoming a partner in Herteen & Stocker, to eventually be owner of the store. I have taken the Diamond Essentials course, and plan to continue my education in the industry with further information I obtain from colleagues and RJO. Current Career Roles/Responsibilities: • Sales • Sales trainer • Buyer • Website Manager • Social Media Manager (facebook, instagram, twitter) • Advertising Manager • Window/Display Designer • Visual Merchandiser of store • Inventory Data Entry Expertise/experience that contributes to current roles: • Member of the Iowa Jewelers Association Board • Bachelors Degree, Harrington Institute of Design (Chicago)

LUCAS DOLAND James Martin Jewelers 1640 John F Kennedy Rd., Dubuque, IA 52002 XX Years in the Jewelry Industry

Store phone: Cell phone:

Store website: www.jamesmartinjewelers.com E-Mail:

Retail Jewelry Career Overview: Current Career Roles/Responsibilities: • Expertise/experience that contributes to current roles: •

NICK DOLAND Doland Jewelers 1735 John F Kennedy Rd., Dubuque, IA 52002 4 Years in the Jewelry Industry

“With more and more small businesses closing, it is imperative for the current workforce to be knowledgeable and empowered to take the reins. Next Gen is - and will continue to become - an important tool for those ready to take control of their business. Through networking, training, and education we can properly ready the coming generation of jewelers to successfully run their businesses.�

Store phone: Cell phone:

(563) 583-7936 (563) 583-7936

Store website: www.dolandjewelers.com E-Mail: nick@dolandjewelers.com

Retail Jewelry Career Overview: Though I worked for my father in the business off and on growing up, I never had the intention of making a career in the industry. After a short teaching career, I decided to join the family business full time. I started as a sales associate and soon took on other tasks such as managing the website and other office tasks.

Current Career Roles/Responsibilities: In our Dubuque store, I manage our inventory and help on the sales floor. I handle day to day communication with our marketing agency.

Expertise/experience that contributes to current roles: I am currently working my way through GIA's Graduate Gemologist distance learning program.

Additional Information: I live in Dubuque, Iowa with my wife Lindsay and our two daughters.

WILL DOLAND Doland Jewelers 3865 Elmore Ave., Davenport, IA 52807 12 Years in the Jewelry Industry

”The Next Gen group is a fantastic resource for people new or getting into the business. The current owners (parents) have their own core set of friends and resources. We, as Next Gen, can get a network of peers much faster and more extensive than the previous generation. This industry is so expansive. Having a group like this in which we can get advice quickly from trusted colleagues who have experienced the exact issues we deal with on a daily basis is so important. Knowing there is someone you can reach out to with issues provides so much peace of mind.”

Store phone: Cell phone:

(563) 326-1847 (563) 580-7569

Store website: www.dolandjewelers.com E-Mail: will@dolandjewelers.com

Retail Jewelry Career Overview: I began in the business in junior high and worked part time through high school and college. I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with an art: jewelry metals degree and completed my Graduate Gemologist degree from GIA in Carlsbad directly after college. I have run the second of two stores in the family business since December 1 of 2003.

Current Career Roles/Responsibilities: • Manager/Owner • Head Custom Designer • Sales • Appraiser • Sales Trainer Expertise/experience that contributes to current roles: • Graduate Gemologist • Member of the Iowa Jewelers Association Board • Rotary International Member

KENIDY ECKERMAN Eckerman Jewelry 511 North Adams St., Carroll, IA 51401 1 ½ Years in the Jewelry Industry

“The Next Gen is a very important group in RJO because it is our future and the future of the group. It brings a group of people together that may not have joined together otherwise, to share experiences and lessons. This is something that each generation can use in the future. It is a group that will keep on giving to make the future of RJO even better.”

Store phone: Cell phone:

(712) 792-3807 (515) 554-1628

Store website: eckermanjewelry.com E-Mail: kenidyeckerman@gmail.com

Retail Jewelry Career Overview: My career in the jewelry industry is old and new. I have been around and incorporated in the jewelry industry my whole life, but started working in the store in 2007. I was on and off through holidays and different time periods. I started officially as a full time employee, August 2013. I am currently a manager within the store and enrolled in GIA classes.

Current Career Roles/Responsibilities: My role in the store is in many areas. I am the full time manager and I am in charge of ordering, keeping up on inventory, keeping up with new trends, customer care, advertising, and fully in charge of Pandora and Vera Bradley.

Expertise/experience that contributes to current roles: I have a degree in Child, Adult, and Family Services & a minor in Event Management. Both of these degrees have taught me many things about human interaction and customer service. I think these backgrounds have helped me in many different things within the jewelry business.

Additional Information: I feel it is important to know that I am eager to learn more about this business. Through my time as a full time employee and having the opportunity to grow up with the business I feel as if I have the knowledge and tools to push my career forward. I am excited to see what the Next Gen group generates and see what I can take from it and use on my own.

CODY MILLER Alan Miller Jewelers 3239 Navarre Ave., Oregon, OH 43616 6 Years in the Jewelry Industry

“I feel the Next Gen group is important to RJO because we are the future of the jewelry industry. The Next Gen group can play a pivotal role in helping RJO grow as an organization while also bringing their own stores into the future of the jewelry industry.”

Store phone: Cell phone:

(419) 693-4311 (419) 340-8681

Store website: alanmillerjewelers.com E-Mail: cody.miller74@gmail.com

Retail Jewelry Career Overview: I've grown up in the industry. I had started going to shows when I was about 12 years old. During my senior year at Heidelberg University I had done an internship with a nearby jeweler for a few months and started working in the family business full-time 3 days after graduation. In the 6 years I've been in the industry I've had the opportunity to travel to many awesome places in the U.S. and abroad including being one of two American delegates at the Edge Down Under conference in Australia 2011. I love helping people find the perfect gift for their loved ones whether it be a nice watch, a Pandora bead, diamond studs or an engagement ring, I am always happy to help.

Current Career Roles/Responsibilities: Mainly I am in charge of the sales floor but have been taking part in buying at the shows for a few years.

I also help out with marketing, taking care of vendor relations and staff training.

Expertise/experience that contributes to current roles: • Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration • Seiko Certified Professional

RYAN RASMUSSEN Tenenbaum’s Jewelry 219 East Bremer Ave., Waverly, IA 50677 6 Years in the Jewelry Industry

“The Next Gen group is important to RJO because it creates a forum for people who are at similar points in their careers to network, share experiences and advise each other. In addition, it offers education and training for Next Gen owners, managers and employees to help them be successful and prepare them for the future as they evolve with the industry. It also allows those in the Next Gen to get more involved in the organization and provides a different perspective on various issues.”

Store phone: Cell phone:

(319) 352-4112 (319) 464-5321

Store website: www.tenenbaumsjewelry.com E-Mail: ryan@tenenbaumsjewelry.com

Retail Jewelry Career Overview: Tenenbaum's has been in our family since 1960 when my grandparents purchased the store. My father began working there in the 1970's so I grew up surrounded by the jewelry industry. I officially began working at Tenenbaum's in high school. My primary focus at that time was engraving and general store maintenance (cleaning, taking out the trash etc...). As I progressed in high school and college I also began to work on the sales floor. After college I pursued another career for about 9 years before returning in 2009 to help my father manage the store. Although I have completed some GIA education in diamond grading most of what I've learned about the jewelry industry has come from my family and the experience I've gained in my time at Tenenbaum's.

Current Career Roles/Responsibilities: I currently manage the operations of the store along with my father.

Expertise/experience that contributes to current roles: • Board Member - Cedar Valley Friends of the Family • Board Member - The Larrabee Center • Trustee - Bartel's Lutheran Retirement Community Endowment • Board Member - Waverly Area Small Business Incubator and Consultation Center • I worked as a general practice lawyer from 2004 - 2009. I maintain my license but don't actively practice.