Meet the Advisory Board
GEN
EDDIE BACON
(515) 465 2991
eddiebacon@yahoo.com
1217 SE Marshall St. Perry, IA 50036
baconjewelers.com
P R O F I L E
I am Eddie Bacon, the c Bacon Jewelers. The jew my family has been a par grandfather, Ed Bacon Jr Jewelers in 1960. He was 15 years. Bacon Jewelers has been a part of RJO for over 50 years. I've worked in the store for 23 years and currently run the day to day operations with my father, Ed Bacon III, who is the current owner.
I've been married to my beautiful wife Angie for 18 years and we have two children - Cassidy (17) and Camden (9).
What I enjoy most about being in the jewelry industry is having the ability to help people celebrate special occasions and provide them with a beautiful gift of something to remember. We are not just selling jewelry, we are selling memories.
B A C O N J E W E L E R S
JASON BAIDE
(406) 587 9339
P R O F I L E
402 E Main St. Bozeman, MT 59715
jason@gemgallery.com gemgallery.com
Born and raised in Bo much of his childhood a young age, he took making process. His c learn from the experienced in-store goldsmiths and his father, Don Baide.
A 2018 graduate from MSU, Jason studied studio arts and business. He has also attended New Approach Jewelry School in Tennessee and CADCAM training in Toronto, CA.
Jason’s design and goldsmithing abilities have been recognized with multiple awards including Saul Bell International Jewelry Award for Emerging Artist in 2016 and 2017 as well as Professional Art Object in 2018. Jason works primarily as a custom designer and enjoys utilizing traditional as well as innovative design processes ranging from hand sketching to CAD design and 3D printing.
Jason took over ownership of the Gem Gallery from his father in 2020 and is excited to continue the Gem Gallery’s tradition of craftsmanship and quality.
G E M G A L L E R Y
LIZ CHAMBERLAND
(630) 766 4137
351 Georgetown Square Wood Dale, IL 60191 liz.gj.351@gmail.com georgetownjewelers.com
P R O F I L E
As a third-generation jeweler, I am excited to be a part of the RJO Next Gen Advisory Board. Working alongside my father for many years, I currently run the day-to-day at our store in the Chicago Suburbs. We have just finalized our transition plans and I have enjoyed seeing my Dad have the opportunity to spend more time on his ever-expanding list of hobbies (although he'll never "officially" want to retire ��).
I grew up in my family's retail jewelry store that was founded in 1950 by my grandparents. Like many of us, I started off cleaning the glass and alphabetizing appraisals until I began working as a sales associate at the age of 16.
During my 4 years at Indiana University, I studied Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation and Retail Merchandising. Knowing that taking over the family business was my long-term path, I took the opportunity to experience other jewelry retailers and worked at Zales (gasp) and a local, independently owned jewelry store, Williams Jewelry.
I have been given the opportunity to participate in the best the jewelry industry has to offer - I have joined my Dad on many trips to Antwerp and countless trade shows since my college years.
I am a GIA Diamond Graduate and I plan to continue my studies with G.I.A. to complete my Graduate Gemologist diploma. Our Advisory Board has the unique opportunity to bring together multiple generations in the jewelry business. This not only includes sharing experiences and supporting our peers as we transition into owners, but also with RJO members both older and younger.
I also hope to demonstrate to younger generations the potential within the jewelry industry that can strengthen our industry for decades.
G E O R G E T O W N J E W E L E R S
ALLISON LEITZEL-WILLIAMS
(717) 866 4274
P R O F I L E
allison@leitzelsjewelry.com leitzelsjewelry.com
607 E Lincoln Ave. Myerstown, PA 17067
Allison Leitzel Williams is the 3rd generation and president of Leitzel’s Jewelry, a full service jeweler located in Central Pennsylvania. Allison owns and operates Leitzel’s Jewelry’s two locations in Myerstown and Hershey, Pennsylvania alongside her husband, Trevor Williams.
Allison grew up in the jewelry business and is proud of the foundation formed by her great uncle, Charles Leitzel and grandfather, Marvin Leitzel, who founded Leitzel’s Jewelry in 1949. Allison follows in the footsteps of her father Ceylon Leitzel, who retired in 2021. Although not intentionally, Ceylon planted the seed for Allison to eventually take over the family tradition by involving Allison in all aspects of the business from a young age From cleaning the showroom floor, to pricing inventory at the kitchen table, labeling envelopes for holiday mailings and attending jewelry trade shows, Ceylon involved and included Allison in the operations and leadership aspects of the family business. This exposure led to Allison’s decision to study business at Millersville University and become a GIA Graduate Gemologist at the Carlsbad, California campus.
Allison is proud to be the first woman to carry on her family’s business and is passionate about supporting small, local businesses. Allison and her husband Trevor are proud parents to their son, Brogan (9) and daughter, Hadley (4).
L E I T Z E L ' S J E W E L R Y
RUSS MCINTOSH
(402) 336 1431
407 E Douglas St O'Neill, NE 68763 russell mcintosh81@yahoo.com mcintoshjewelry.com
P R O F I L E
Russell McIntosh was born in O’Neill Nebraska on September 3 O’Neill Public in May of 2000, he went on to continue his educa College where he earned his Associates Degree in Business Russ then made the decision to continue in his father and becoming a 3rd generation jeweler. To become a certified jeweler, he attended Paris Junior College in Texas. While Russ was there, he completed his course of study and was awarded the Certificate of Bench Technician. He also received his Gemological Institute of America Degree which provided him with the education and training necessary to identify gems in the jewelry industry.
After his education in Texas was complete, Russ moved to Omaha, Nebraska and began working for Jerry Miller at J’s Jewelry doing trade work for large jewelry companies. He worked at this location for almost 2 years and learned a tremendous amount of trade work skills. While working at J’s Jewelry, Russ met another jeweler and the decision was made to open up their own business repairing jewelry for the community and other jewelry companies around the Omaha area.
In May of 2006, Russ and his business partner successfully opened up their own company known as West Omaha Jewelers and Repair. Their business did all the trade work for large jewelry companies such as Helzberg Diamonds, 14Karat & Brodkey’s. Over the next 9 years, the business was a large success but Russ always knew he wanted to become a full retail jewelry store. Russ and his fiance, Chelsea, decided to move back home to O’Neill in 2014 where he would become the 3rd generation jeweler in the McIntosh family legacy.
Today, you will find Russ working in his family’s beautiful retail jewelry and fine gift store. He continues his trade work and repairs for his customers as well as other jewelry stores throughout the midwest. Russ is also able to customize jewelry for that one of a kind piece you are looking for. Russ, his wife Chelsea and 4-year-old son Max enjoy living close to home and raising their family in small town O’Neill.
M C I N T O S H J E W E L R Y
BRITTANY MURRELL
(816) 781 4653 224 Rte 291 Liberty, MO 64068 brittany@goldandmorejewelers.com goldandmorejewelers.com
P R O F I L E
My name is Brittany Murrell and I am the manager of Gold and More Jewelers I have been around the industry since I was a little girl going to the big box stores that my father managed. I realize now that even back then I was learning and gaining knowledge in the industry, but never thought my career would bring me into the industry later in my life.
My father and I started Gold and More Jewelers eleven years ago purchasing and melting gold; we slowly expanded into a jewelry store as we started to get requests for jewelry from clients. My father has been in the industry since he was a teenager with my grandparents owning a store in Tennessee. His stories have been incredible to hear and see how things have changed from then to now. Being in the jewelry industry and having your own company is so exhilarating, and gives me so much pride to be a part of people's biggest and most precious moments in life. I never would have thought I would end up where I currently am but now I cannot imagine doing anything else
As everyone knows, having your own store has its pressures, but I still love to wake up everyday and be truly excited to go to work, see my clients. I have no doubt in my mind I am right where I am meant to be and that's a powerful feeling. I have recently taken a long look in the mirror and done some reflecting and saw some areas I knew I was weak in and decided to do something about it, so I am starting to take online courses through GIA to not only help me improve in areas I am not as strong in, but to also help me grow our business into something a little bit better with the education to go along side of it.
I am so excited to see where this business and industry can take me and my family and I am beyond thankful for RJO, the vendors, and peers I have met through this group that have given me opportunities and friends I could not have imagined having in my life
G O L D A N D M O R E J E W E L E R S
JOE SCHIAVONE
(623) 374 7706
P R O F I L E
joe@zsfinejewelry.com zsfinejewelry.com
7547 W Greenway Rd # 580 Peoria, AZ 85381
Although I wasn’t born in was made for it. I am o p p never met a stranger. My career in the jewelry industry started about nine years ago. I loved my previous job, but didn’t love the company I worked for. So my wife and I started looking for a change This change led to a 1,200 mile move and joining her family business. We knew as we made this change it was a lifelong commitment.
This has been one of the best decisions we have ever made! Not only did I fall in love with the jewelry industry, but I learned I had the gift of being able to design jewelry. My wife Brooke and I now own our family business and work side by side with our staff to build our future.
We have two daughters we hope one day will join us and take on our family legacy.
Z ' S F I N E J E W E L R Y
SAMANTHA TUPPER
(605) 692 4623
P R O F I L E
samantha@winksjewelry.com winksjewelry.com
322 Fifth St. Brookings, SD 57006
I have been the owne since 2021, taking ownership from my grandfather who had owned the store since 1979. Unlike many, I didn’t grow up in the store, but ever since I was a young girl I knew I wanted to be a jeweler.
I have my Graduate Diamond Degree with GIA since 2018 and Registered Jeweler title since 2019.
My favorite thing about the jewelry industry is the constant change! It is never boring �� I am currently very passionate about succession in our industry! My grandpa and I had a very successful transition and it has made me appreciate everything we did beforehand to make it as smooth as possible!
My husband Derek and I have been married since 2015, and have a two-year old daughter, Reagan and baby #2 due on Valentine's Day!
W I N K ' S F I N E J E W E L R Y