2022 RJO Board of Directors Candidate Introductions

2022

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Candidate Introductions

CAREER IN INDUSTRY I have been involved in our family-owned store for 50 years.

I have served as the Vice-President of the Iowa Jewelers Organization for three years, served on the first RJO Merchandise Review Committee and am currently finishing my tenth term on the RJO Board of Directors with the last eighteen years serving as President and Chairman of the Board.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH

TERRY DICKENS INCUMBENT

HERTEEN & STOCKER JEWELERS

CONTACT 101 S DUBUQUE STREET IOWA CITY, IA 52240 (319) 338-4212 HERTEENS@LIVE.COM

YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY 50 YEARS

RJO MEMBER SINCE 1967 RJO SHOW ATTENDANCE

I would like to continue the growth of RJO, focusing on educating the next generation of independent retailers and providing the tools they will need to purchase and carry on stores. It will also be important to blend the long history of RJO with the ever-changing landscape of the jewelry industry to ensure our RJO members continue to have the tools, education and financial rewards this group has to offer.

OTHER COMMITTEES/BOARDS SERVED RJO Board of Directors, 32 years RJO Board of Directors President, 18 years Iowa City City Council, 8 years Iowa City Regina School Board, 4 years Iowa City Regina Foundation Board, 2 years RJO Merchandise Review Committee, original committee member Iowa Jewelers & Watchmakers Vice President, 3 years

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ATTENDED ALL 6 OF LAST 6 SHOWS

“I am running for re-election to the RJO Board of Directors to continue sharing my passion for RJO as well as the jewelry business that has been a part of my family for over seventy years, including fifty years in RJO. I have loved serving this organization and have a strong desire to continue to serve the members of this group. I feel I have served those members contacting me with concerns or ideas well and worked diligently to have their voices heard. I truly appreciate the benefits this group has provided in the continued success of my business and am excited to bring new ideas and insights to the membership.”

Working with the incredible staff at RJO has been a pleasure and working for the great members and vendors of this organization has been a true honor. Remembering where we have come from and where we are going is key to our continued growth. It is important as a member of the board to ensure the policies and procedures put in place balance both the benefits to the members and to the organization. I feel it is also a huge responsibility of the board to work with and hold accountable the leadership of the organization to ensure the budget is consistently reviewed in order to provide the best overall dividend to the members of this group.

CAREER IN INDUSTRY I have been a retailer in the jewelry industry for 47 years, with 43 of those years as the owner of Herzog Jewelers.

With the help of my son and daughter, we have the premier jewelry store in Northern Kentucky.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH

JOE KOESTER INCUMBENT

HERZOG JEWELERS

CONTACT 2501 DIXIE HIGHWAY FORT MITCHELL, KY (859) 331-4653 JOE.KOESTER@FUSE.NET

YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY 47 YEARS

RJO MEMBER SINCE 1995 RJO SHOW ATTENDANCE ATTENDED ALL 6 OF LAST 6 SHOWS

“It has been an honor for me to serve on RJO’s Board of Directors the past 17 years.

As a buying group, RJO has made tremendous strides for all members of our RJO family. I will do my best to make sure RJO evolves and adapts so that we can all succeed in this changing industry. I would appreciate your vote.”

My main focus will be to continue to obtain the best return on dividends for the members, especially focusing on minimizing RJO’s expenses.

With the ever-changing competition and innovation in the industry, to keep RJO members informed through improved educational seminars.

Strive to improve the RJO buying experience. I have been instrumental in starting the Brain Gain sessions at the buying shows to help members exchange ideas.

Acquire not only new RJO members but also new vendors that keep RJO in the forefront of retail, gemology, and technology trends.

OTHER COMMITTEES/BOARDS SERVED Graduate Gemologist (GIA) Certified Gemologist (AGS) Current Board Member of RJO for 17 years Founding Member of the RJO Foundation to help promote scholarships Past President of Kentucky Jewelers Association BS in Economics, Eastern Kentucky University Member of Board of Directors of St. Elizabeth Healthcare Board Member of St. Elizabeth Healthcare Foundation since its 1992 inception, including chairing 2 committees and recipient of St. Elizabeth Life-Time Achievement Award for Service Board Member of Northern Kentucky Water District, including serving as Chairman three times during 20 years of service

CAREER IN INDUSTRY Bench jeweler through college with a home jewelry shop as I worked for twenty years as a manufacturing accountant, controller, CFO, General Manager, and a President of a company prior to purchasing an existing jewelry store in January 2016. Implemented social media, the Edge, and purchased a new building in a better location which all contributed to increased sales from $600k to last years $1,450,000. Every year has been a steady increase over the prior year. The jewelry store had been in IJO for more than 25 years, but we are now exclusively in RJO. It was a much better fit for our store.

JEFFREY BRAMBLET ROSS'S FINE JEWELERS

CONTACT

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH I would like to work to make the two conferences each year the absolute best in the industry. I think there are parts of the conference that are outstanding, but I see a couple of areas that would make it even better. It would be a pleasure to help make the Antwerp trips even better to increase profit and enjoyment for participants along with increased awareness for the RJO members.

46 S. MAIN STREET KILMARNOCK, VA

OTHER COMMITTEES/BOARDS SERVED

(804) 435-3529 JEFF@ROSSFJ.COM

YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY NINE YEARS

RJO MEMBER SINCE 2018 RJO SHOW ATTENDANCE ATTENDED 4 OF LAST 5 SHOWS

“I would like to help make RJO the premium buying group, and work to improve what is offered to my fellow jewelers. This interaction would also help to improve my store and my personal skills."

I am on the business advisory board of Chesapeake Bank, and an active member of our local chamber of commerce. I am a degreed accountant that has also managed businesses, small to large,

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Since a jewelry class in high school where we actually cast silver rings and did glass enamel I have always wanted to own my own jewelry store. But when I graduated college no one was going to give me my own store. So I worked my way up in manufacturing for twenty years until I could afford to buy a good store. The store had been started in the 70’s and had a great reputation, but it was lacking any computer information system including absolutely no social media. It needed someone that understood jewelry, how to build a team, and implement systems. I have had an absolute blast the last six years owning my own jewelry store. I love to work with my customers to get them the perfect piece. It could be from our vendor partners or a custom that I design with the customers input. I would be honored and excited if I could be involved as a board member with RJO.

CAREER IN INDUSTRY My father was a master jeweler all of my life and we had a family business I worked in from the age of 25. I opened my own store 20 miles from my dad's store and I have been very successful celebrating my 10th anniversary this October.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH I would like to represent the southeast region and be included on the new vendor choices as well as the new retailers.

KIM COLUCCI LIZZI KIM'S FINE JEWELERS

OTHER COMMITTEES/BOARDS SERVED I have been on many fundraising boards at my children's private schools when they were younger. My husband is a lawyer and I always have him for advice when I am on a committee. I was on the board of the South Carolina Jewelers Association for many years.

CONTACT 1216 B NORTH MAIN STREET

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SUMMERVILLE, SC 29484 (843) 875-6001 SCJEWEL23@AOL.COM

YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY 30 YEARS

RJO MEMBER SINCE 2016 RJO SHOW ATTENDANCE ATTENDED 2 OF LAST 6 SHOWS

"I am running for the RJO Board of Directors because I like being involved on all levels of the groups I belong to."

I know this business from castings, to assembly, to stone buying as my family made 90% of our inventory in the 1980s.

I have vast knowledge of the bench and procedures from start to finish in this business.

CAREER IN INDUSTRY Started as a box stock boy around age 7 and have done every job in between. I started full-time at Anthony Jewelers in 2000 after college and GIA and have grown my business to where it is today. I am a numbers and reports guy and for the last seven years have had a gross profit of 55% to 60%, this year doing $1.7 million with only $500k of inventory in stock at any time. I lowered my advertising budget 50% in the last three years to better target my market, and kept my payroll total under 16% of sales.

NICK FRATTO ANTHONY JEWELERS

CONTACT 17 EAST BROAD STREET PALMYRA, NJ 08065 (856) 829-2206 NFRATTO6@GMAIL.COM

YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY 30 YEARS

RJO MEMBER SINCE 2017 RJO SHOW ATTENDANCE ATTENDED 1 OF LAST 6 SHOWS

“I am running for the RJO Board of Directors because I feel I have a lot to give to this industry that can help jewelers and RJO grow."

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH I would like to help with bringing in new vendors that complement the great RJO vendors we already have. My dad joined IJO in 1991, but I have grown out of that business model and feel I can do a lot more for, and with RJO, and the RJO vendors. I also have some great insight on what makes for a great show and can see room for improvement to make it an even greater organization.

OTHER COMMITTEES/BOARDS SERVED GIA Graduate Gemologist 2001 Rotary President

CAREER IN INDUSTRY

MARK LOREN MARK LOREN DESIGNS, INC.

CONTACT 13351 MCGREGOR BLVD.

Graduated from Gem City College in 1978 went to work for Bulova Watch Co as a watchmaker then began working for a high-end custom goldsmith on the Northshore of Chicago.

After running his workshop, I then worked for a couple of luxury, retail jewelers in the Chicago area as a designer/goldsmith. Moved to Fort Myers, FL in 1982 to open a new store for one of my employers and stayed after they sold the store. Opened my own trade shop soon after and gathered 15 trade accounts. Opened my own goldsmithing studio and gallery in 1985 and later expanded to locations in Blowing Rock, NC and Naples, FL. Sold those locations and concentrated on expanding my Fort Myers location and business. Have won eight Spectrum Awards, voted a “Cool Store” by Instore Magazine and currently have 14 staff with a nationally based clientele .

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH I would assist the Board with providing a perspective from the custom design side of our retail industry and also to engage the Board with new business philosophies that would benefit our member retailers.

FORT MYERS, FL 33919 (239) 482-4664

OTHER COMMITTEES/BOARDS SERVED

MARKLORENSAN@GMAIL.COM

YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY 43 YEARS

RJO MEMBER SINCE 2018 RJO SHOW ATTENDANCE

GIA DCG, past Local Board chair for American Cancer Society, State Board of Directors for American Cancer Society, Board Director for Childrens Advocacy Agency, past Board Director for Southwest Florida Symphony, current Board member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lee County, current Board member for ArtFest of Lee County, Affiliate Board member of Heights Foundation, Founder of the Law and Order Ball of Lee County to benefit Rotary International Foundation. Current President of Mark Loren Designs, Inc.

ATTENDED 1 OF LAST 5 SHOWS

“I would like to run for the Board to utilize my previous Board experiences with charitable organizations to highlight best practices combined with my extensive retail experience in the unique/custom design area of our industry. Also to contribute my fundraising experience to our organization as well."

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION My ultimate goal would be to help recognize shifts in our industry before they happen and assist our members in identifying and creating alternatives for viable outcomes.

CAREER IN INDUSTRY

JOE SCHIAVONE Z'S FINE JEWELRY

CONTACT 7547 W GREENWAY ROAD, SUITE 580 PEORIA, AZ 85381 (623) 374-7706 JOE@ZSFINEJEWELRY.COM

YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY EIGHT YEARS

RJO MEMBER SINCE 1999 RJO SHOW ATTENDANCE ATTENDED ALL 6 OF LAST 6 SHOWS

“I feel I could bring a different perspective to the industry. You have to be willing to step up and that is exactly what I want to do for this group. Step up to the plate and be there to share my strengths. For the last five years I have been on the Next Gen board where I have developed a family. Not a week goes by where I don't get a message from someone within this organization to bounce an idea or just help them through struggles. This works both ways. I am a servant at heart and will do everything I can to see this group grow."

Although I did not grow up in this industry, I feel like I was born for it. I love the day-to-day interactions with customers, the relationships I have formed with fellow jewelers, and the partnerships I have gained with vendors. In January of 2021, my wife and I bought our store from her parents. Over the last seven years prior to us taking over the store, I learned the ins and outs of not only our business, but the industry as a whole. My passion to learn and teach has allowed us to grow our business, as well as help fellow jewelers within RJO grow too. I currently sit on the Next Gen board where I am able to help guide our next generation of jewelers learn to be leaders.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH As a board member, my goals would be to use my ideas and passion to be innovative for this group. One thing I love about this organization is that we don't sit back and let the industry take us where its going to go, we push it to its limits. As younger business owners, my wife and I have had to learn how to use our strengths and weakness to grow ourselves and our staff. I know I can help our group do the same.

OTHER COMMITTEES/BOARDS SERVED In 2014 my wife and I joined our family business with intentions to transition the store from her parents to us. In 2021 Brooke and I purchased the store.

Treasurer of the Peoria Education Foundation, 5 years RJO NextGen Board, 5 years GIA AJP Vice President of Sales for a $100 million a year company, 11 years I have been in some form of management since the age of 16. I love to teach.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Knowledge is power! I look at everyday as an opportunity to learn. If I cannot learn something myself, then its my job to teach something that day. I pour my heart into everything I do. I want to see us all grow together one step at a time.

There are no shortcuts in life. We must work hard and be willing to change to excel.

CAREER IN INDUSTRY I got into the jewelry business when getting out of the USAF. I bought my first store in 1987, sold in 1989, moved back to where I grew up in Maryland. Started another store from scratch in 1990 and it's where we are today. We are a full house jewelry retailer with two jewelers and a full staff, we can do everything in house except watch repair. We do battery service on watches and nothing more. I served on the IJO board for 3 years.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH

SETH SHIPLEY SHIPLEY'S FINE JEWELRY

CONTACT 1224 N. MAIN STREET HAMPSTEAD, MD 21074 (410) 239-9477 SETHSHIPLEY@ICLOUD.COM

Helping others become profitable and grow their businesses.

OTHER COMMITTEES/BOARDS SERVED Trained under the teachings of Dale Carnegie and Zig Ziglar.

Taken GIA classes, bench classes and management training.

IJO BOD Served on local Bank Boards in my area. Served on the local College Foundation Board.

Served on many local non-profits, both on board and fundraising positions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY 37 YEARS

RJO MEMBER SINCE 2019 RJO SHOW ATTENDANCE ATTENDED 1 OF LAST 3 SHOWS

“Everyday I realize there's so much I don't know, yet 37 years in the business has given me much information that I could share with others and hopefully help them from making costly mistakes I made."

I'm also an auctioneer and carry my CAI, and BAS designations as a certified auctioneer and benefit auctioneer specialist.

CAREER IN INDUSTRY I started in the jewelry industry at the young age of 12. I started cleaning for our family jewelry store. After high school, I went to Gemological Institute of America to obtain my Graduate Gemologist Title. I have since worked my way up through the business, to now being co-owner of our 111 year old business with my brother Jeff Sturhahn. I have been the President of our company for eight years and we have grown the business from a $1.7 million store to a $2.8 million store.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH

SARAH STEGEMAN STURHAHN JEWELERS

CONTACT 2801 BROADWAY SUITE 300 QUINCY, IL 62301 (217) 223-0027 SARAH@STURHAHNJEWELERS.COM

YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY 22 YEARS

RJO MEMBER SINCE 1998 RJO SHOW ATTENDANCE ATTENDED ALL 6 OF LAST 6 SHOWS

“I would like to personally run for the Board of Directors because I feel like there is so much I could learn from the membership and the RJO organization from the different perspective of being on the Board. Although I have learned a lot from my 22 years in the industry, there is always more to learn. I have also always been a helper, and I love to help others in any way that I can. So I would enjoy being in the position to help both the RJO organization and my fellow jewelers. I think it would be a great way to broaden my overall perspective of the industry, while helping at the same time."

I would love to be a part of the Board of Directors because I would love to help my fellow members to learn and move forward during this trying time. I strongly feel that organizations such as RJO strengthen our industry as a whole, and help us as individual stores be stronger and better business people. I would also like to help the organization by sharing my industry knowledge and experiences to help RJO be familiar with all the different hats each business owner has to wear to be able be successful. In doing so, it will help RJO better know what seminars and educational opportunities will better help the membership.

OTHER COMMITTEES/BOARDS SERVED I am a Graduate Gemologist with GIA and a Certified Gemologist with AGS. I feel this helps me when evaluating new companies to work with, and also working to help other stores with identification needs. I have been involved in our local community in our Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador, to go and meet new businesses, recruit new business, and network between members. I am also a member of our local Great River Referral Group. This is a local group of business owners who meet and network while talking about issues facing our local business community. It allows me to have knowledge of new businesses upcoming in our city, and also have a finger on the pulse of what is going on.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION I know there will be many qualified applicants. I feel like I am a good choice, because I am still young at only 34 years old, but I have years of industry experience, all the way from the very bottom person, to the top being the president of our company. I also feel that my 16 years of experience as a graduate gemologist is extremely valuable, as new things like lab grown diamonds, and new treatments are becoming more widely available. I enjoy new experiences, and would find time on the Board of Directors very educational and intriguing.