B O A R D
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C A N D I D A T E
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I N T R O D U C T I O N S
BALLOTS DUE JUNE 14TH There are four (4) open seats for the RJO Board of Directors. Please review the enclosed introduction sheets and submit your electronic ballot.
Read why candidates want to serve on the RJO Board of Directors View what they hope to accomplish during their tenure on the board Learn about their experiences in the industry and their communities
BILL BECKER (Incumbent)
Becker’s Jewelers 401 S. Gear Avenue, West Burlington, IA 52655 & 123 W. Monroe, Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641 42 Years in the Industry Active Member of RJO since 1966 “RJO has been, and still is a cornerstone in the success of our business. I believe it is paramount that we give back to an organization such as this that has been so good to myself and my family. I am passionate about this business and RJO. We have something uniquely special in this industry, and I plan to use my experience and common sense to see its growth and family atmosphere continue into the future.” Store phone: Cell phone:
(319) 385-3722 (319) 752-1197
Store website: www.beckerdiamonds.com E-Mail: bill@beckersdiamonds.com
Accomplishments to achieve while on the board: Improve the quality of educational seminars at trade shows Continue the strength of the patronage dividend which I believe has been the success of RJO Attract new quality members Career overview: Worked as Manager and Assistant District Manager for national chain before going to GIA, then back to the family business. Purchased business in 1987. Expanded second store to Burlington, IA in 2004. Built freestanding building in 2006. Expertise/experience that may contribute to RJO: Graduate Gemologist (GIA) Certified Gemologist Appraiser (AGS) Past President of the Iowa Jewelers Association Current board member of RJO for many years Other Information: Community Activities: Board of Directors, Chamber of Commerce, various committees Past Judging Chairman, Heartland Chapter NCRS Actively involved in St. John’s/St. Paul’s Parish, Notre Dame schools Past president: Mt. Pleasant Rotary
ERIKA GODFREY (Incumbent)
Hawthorne Jewelry 2104 Central Ave., Kearney, NE 68847 22 Years in the Industry Active Member of RJO since 1987 “I have always been driven to search out the best tools and resources available for my success and also have the desire to help others succeed. It is important to me to be an active participator in RJO and bring our combined success to a higher level. I am a Mom & Pop business & I want to be a strong voice to represent all small stores, understanding very well the challenges and needs that small stores struggle with to survive on a daily basis. I understand the changing atmosphere of consumer purchasing and its effects on small business. A position on the RJO Board of Directors will allow me to be accountable and I will work effortlessly to provide a venue to do that. A large number of small independents make up the majority of retail membership through RJO and we need to be certain that our voice is heard. There are things that mom & pops can’t compete with; but professionalism, quality, integrity and hard work will always make us viable. I want to continue to find ways to make it possible for all of us to succeed in today’s market, provide avenues to take each of our businesses to our own individual next level and help guarantee the success that we all work hard to attain. It is my strong belief that RJO is responsible for helping me grow my business over the past 20+ years. I would welcome an opportunity to give back to an organization that offers me a place to grow, learn and achieve. I have always held the belief: you get out of it what you put into it. It’s my time to work and it would be an honor to continue serving on the RJO Board of Directors.”
Store phone: Cell phone:
(308) 234-3373 (308) 390-8492
Store website: www.hawthornejewelry.com E-Mail: erika@hawthornejewelry.com
Accomplishments to achieve while on the board: Continue to increase membership to increase collective power within the industry Create a strong link between members: both retailer to retailer as well as retailer to vendor loyalty Continue offering the most advanced and streamlined tools for our organization Expand on educational opportunities; seek out fresh and unique seminars Encourage the growth of the Next Gen's and the Foundation’s accomplishments Provide clear communication between the MRC and Board as well as the Vendor Advisory Committee to each member via email blasts, website and newsletters Increase the power of our dividend Review, refine and add membership benefits to maintain current member participation & increase new membership Expand the reach and power of the overseas buying trips; grow the number of retailers taking advantage of this benefit & continue to teach the long-term marketing influence this trip might offer to every retailer Increase brand recognition and influence of the RJO name; work with other organizations to maintain, grow and promote the power of independents within the industry
ERIKA GODFREY, continued Career overview: My store has been a part of my family since the early ‘40s beginning with my great uncles and my grandparents. My dad eventually took over and built our store’s name. I came into the business a couple of years after graduating college in 1995. When my father retired in 1999, I took over the reins and became an owner in 2010. We are located in a historic and thriving downtown, one door north of our original site which opened in 1878. Today, we continue on as a full-service jewelry store, offering a bench jeweler on site. I strive to find ways to adjust, grow and provide an avenue of interest, quality and ethics to both my employees and my customers alike. Expertise/experience that may contribute to RJO: Ethical and responsible businesswoman continuing and growing store’s profitability Business owner since 2010 RJO Board of Directors Member 2016 - present • RJO Foundation Board Member 2015-2016 • Past president NESD Jeweler’s Association 2009 – 2011 • Gemologist, GIA 2002 • Past board member Kearney Centre Association • Past board member Downtown Kearney, Organization Committee • Meadowlark Elementary Parent Advisory Council past president • School Improvement Committee, Meadowlark Elementary Other Information: Active member of First United Methodist Church: served on Staff & Parish Relations Committee, currently serving on Missions Committee; choir member; youth mentor; Confirmation leader Piano & voice teacher of 9 students Member Platte River Singers Member Crane River Theater Mentor/speaker/participant in conjunction with University of NE at Kearney marketing classes (undergraduate and graduate levels) Supporter of Kearney Rotary Dancing with the Stars (2018) Active supporter: Kearney Safe Center; Make-a-Wish; Miss Nebraska; Kearney Community Theater; Kearney Catholic High School Foundation; Kearney Public Schools Foundation; Bearcat Boosters and more… Additional Considerations: I was fortunate enough to start my career in this industry with tremendous support from other retailers... one of which is a long-time member of RJO. He was always willing to talk to me, teach me and encourage me. It is my hope that I can pay this generosity forward. The friendships I have made in this industry and specifically within RJO have formed me into the type of professional I am today. My door/phone is always open and it is my hope that I can build relationships that include helping us all succeed.
NANCY MARCHELL (Incumbent)
Signature Jewelers 4491 S Washington Street, Suite A, Grand Forks, ND 58201 21 Years in the Industry Active Member of RJO since 2010 “Having worked in many management positions, I have learned good leadership and business skills, and I can bring expertise not only from a jeweler's perspective, but also from a business perspective. Having worked in the finance industry for 20 years, I have skills and perspectives from that career that can benefit RJO members. I love marketing, brainstorming, and networking. With my children now grown, I have more time to give back and pay it forward, and the RJO Board of Directors has been a wonderful opportunity for me to serve the jewelry community.� Store phone: Cell phone:
(701) 757-4848 (218) 791-4722
E-Mail: signature_jewelers@hotmail.com Store website: www.signaturejewelersgf.com
Accomplishments to achieve while on the board: It has been an incredible learning experience for me as I have served the past three (3) years on the RJO Board of Directors. I am excited about the growth within the RJO organization, and feel we have a wonderful leadership team committed to its membership. I will continue to be your voice, working to strengthen the RJO organization as we grow, and bring new benefits to the membership. I will also continue to work on enhancing the RJO overseas buying trips, and the benefits gained from this experience. Career overview: I started working part time for an independent jeweler in 1998, and in 2002 opened my own store. I am proud to be one of the successful and respected woman-owned businesses in my community. I have completed my GIA courses, and feel I understand the jewelry industry from every perspective. Expertise/experience that may contribute to RJO: I am very much a "hands on" owner and work extensively with marketing, sales, appraisals, and every day business operations. This has given me a keen understanding of every facet of the jewelry business. I have strong vendor relationships and believe that contributes to success, as well as progressive thinking about the future of the independent jewelry industry as we look for ways to set ourselves apart. Again, my 20 years in the finance industry give me a good business perspective. I served on an 11 state credit union board of directors for 6 years, and I have served for 9 years on a regional loan committee which funds small businesses. I work with our Chamber of Commerce, I serve on our hospital board of directors, and volunteer on several youth and small business committees within the region as well.
NANCY MARCHELL, continued Additional Considerations: With the continued changes in the jewelry industry, we know especially for independent jewelers it is no longer “business as usual�. Serving on the Board of Directors, I look forward to continuing to bring a fresh perspective to the team, and doing my part to help RJO remain a strong organization with increased benefits to its members. My skill set, the success of my jewelry store, and my common sense approach to business are strengths that have been a benefit to this organization, and I look forward to continue serving you on the RJO Board of Directors.
RICH MCINTOSH (Incumbent)
McIntosh Jewelry 407 East Douglas, O’Neill, NE 68763 49 Years in the Industry Active Member of RJO since 1972 “I would like to continue to work for RJO and feel that I have been an asset to the board. It’s important for me to see RJO continue to grow and be a part of that growth. It’s such a great organization and I feel honored to be a part of it.” Store phone: E-Mail:
(402) 336-1431 rich@mcintoshjewelry.com
Store website: www.mcintoshjewelry.com
Accomplishments to achieve while on the board: With the growth of RJO we have experienced some growing challenges and I believe my experience as Treasurer can be beneficial to the board. Career overview: I'm a second generation jeweler in a small town in Nebraska. I went to Gem City College in Quincy, IL and received my certificate in Watchmaking and Jewelry Repair. In 1972 I attended GIA in Santa Monica. I'm a certified Bench Jeweler with Jewelers of America. My wife and I have run the family business for 38 years. In 1972 my father and I decided we needed to belong to a buyers group. We joined RJO and IJO. It did not take long for us to decide that RJO was for us. We have been faithful to RJO ever since.
Expertise/experience that may contribute to RJO: Past President of Nebraska and South Dakota Jewelers Past president of the O'Neill Chamber of Commerce Past President St. Anthony's Hospital Board Served on RJO's Merchandise Review Committee for many years Served on the RJO Board of Directors for 16 years and now serving as Treasurer Additional Considerations: Under the direction of the board we have been able to grow to over 1,000 members and I'm proud to say we returned a 4.67% patronage dividend totaling over $6.7 million dollars back to our members last year. I would greatly appreciate your vote.
JEFFREY B. KAISER JB Kaiser Jeweler 30265 Sunny Beach Road, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 47 Years in the Jewelry Industry Active Member of RJO since 2012 “I have been a jeweler for nearly 50 years. I believe, with that experience as well as 18 years served on the board of the Minnesota/North Dakota Jewelers Association, holding all of the offices including president, that I would be an asset to the Board of Directors of RJO. Becoming a member of RJO changed my life as a retail jeweler in a very positive way and has given me the opportunity to meet and become friends with some of the greatest people in this fine industry. It would be my honor to serve the members of this fine organization as one of your newest board members and I promise to serve the organization to the best of my abilities.” Store phone: Cell phone:
(218) 326-5206 (218) 301-9007
E-Mail: jeff@jbkaiser.com Store website: www.jbkaiser.com
Accomplishments to achieve while on the board: I would be proud to serve the needs of the members of the RJO organization with emphasis on the needs and concerns of the smaller Mom and Pop jewelry store members. Career overview: After making my first silver ring in art class in the seventh grade, I was hooked. After high school, I attended Minneapolis Vocational School and studied Jewelry Manufacturing Arts. I joined a small manufacturing jewelry firm in Minneapolis for 10 years as a goldsmith and diamond setter, later to add shop foreman to my duties. After a four year stint at a retail store, I opened JB Kaiser Jewelers in Grand Rapids MN in 1984 and continue to serve the community as the only goldsmith/gemologist in the area. Expertise/experience that may contribute to RJO: Graduate Gemologist (GIA) Former Certified Gemologist Appraiser (AGS) Past president and 18 year board member of the Minnesota/North Dakota Jewelers Association Former St. Joseph's School board member and Youth for Christ board member 35 year member and past president of the Star of the North Lions Club
KIM LIZZI Kim’s Fine Jewelry 1216 B North Main Street, Summerville, SC 29483 39 Years in the Industry Active Member of RJO since 2016 “I like to be involved in my industry. I have been on the board for the South Carolina Jewelers Association for the past five years. I want to do my part in every group I belong to. I volunteer for my local Chamber when they need help with events in my community and have always tried to take an active role in whatever I am able to.” Store phone: Cell phone:
(843) 875-6001 (843) 530-6306
Store website: www.kimsfinejewelry.net E-Mail: scjewel23@aol.com
Accomplishments to achieve while on the board: I would love to reach out to people in the industry like myself that have never been exposed or open to buying groups like ours and let them know just how valuable it is on a daily basis even if you’re not one of the big box stores. Career overview: My father was in the industry and I worked for him since the age of 16. I then went out on my own seven (7) years ago. His store has since closed. I have done the manufacturing end of the industry as well as custom and repair. Expertise/experience that may contribute to RJO: Serve on the board for the SC Jewelers Assoc. Member of my local Chamber of Commerce and volunteer for them often Volunteer at my grandsons local elementary school Member of DCA Former member of IJO Volunteered for numerous fundraising activities in my community Meals on Wheels volunteer Additional Considerations: Just know I do what I say and if I am assigned a task or position I do my best to fulfill my responsibilities.