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Shining Stars
The WJA Shining Star Awards are a way to give back to our hard-working WJA members. This award is designed to highlight the efforts of WJA members who give so much time to their chapters but might not get recognized on a national level. Each of the 11 chapters choose their own Shining Star who is awarded with a ticket to the Women in the Know Conference in New York City and up to $500 for airfare and hotel. Here are this year’s award recipients and what their chapters said when recommending them:
Los Angeles ~ Robin Lutin
Robin Lutin, knows something about stars. As the Regional Manager of Southern California and Hawaii for the Jeweler’s Circular Keystone International Publishing Group, she consistently ranks among an elite group of top sales performers. An L.A. native and resident, she’s also a movie buff, and hungrily digests frequent screenings of not-yet-released Hollywood pictures, satisfying her craving for brushes with stars of the red carpet variety. Now as an eight-year WJA board member and nine-year jewelry industry veteran, Lutin proudly joins other “Shining Star” recipients for work completed at the chapter level.
Metropolitan ~ Ronni Klein
Owner of Displays and More and a true gem in the industry, Ronni Klein began her career in 1975 working in sales for a jewelry display manufacturer. She quickly learned how the displays were made, giving her an advantage over competitors since she could sell the products with ease and answer questions pertaining to custom displays. She took this knowledge and moved up the ranks in her next job where she headed up the sales department, enabling her to travel and have a presence in what was at that time a male-dominated business.
While on vacation in 1994 and one week before she was about to start a new job, she decided that it was time to take a risk and launch a company of her own. She had the drive, the knowledge and a great rapport with her customers, so why not? She called her husband to discuss this option and he supported her choice. Ronni quickly asked him to purchase a desk, order a phone and computer while she was away so everything would be ready when she returned home. Shortly after, Ronni secured her own clients and in an appointment with Helene Fortunoff, she was introduced to the Women’s Jewelry Association.
Over the past ten years, Ronni has held various positions in the WJA, serving as a member on the national board, chair for the Silent Auction at the Awards for Excellence Dinner and currently president of the newly formed Metropolitan Chapter.
Ronni has been married to her husband Ken for over 30 years. In her spare time she loves to play tennis, enjoys spending time with friends, reading and antiquing.
Midwest ~ Michelin Lentino
Michelin Lentino does nothing in half measures. Whether she is managing the treasury for the WJA Midwest Chapter, helping her clients select the perfect diamond ring, volunteering in her community, caring for her grandchildren, or cooking a gourmet meal, Michelin invests everything into the endeavor.
Michelin has served on the WJA Midwest Board as program chair and most recently as treasurer. She established her jewelry business, Contessa D’Oro, in Lincolnwood, Illinois, in 1976. Prior to that, she was an elementary school teacher. GIA courses early in her jewelry career provided her the education and direction for her successful business, which specializes in custom diamond designs and engagement rings. Michelin is very involved in community and charitable organizations, including serving on a local school board, board of directors of Dominican University, and numerous hospital, arts, and community committees. In 2004, she was honored with the Regina Coeli Award by Regina Dominican High School as a successful alum, parent, and teacher.
Michelin is devoted to her family, including her daughter, three sons, grandchildren, and husband, Les. Her hobbies include golf, tennis, substitute teaching, cooking, and traveling
New England ~ Donna Kiesel
Donna M. Kiesel has been an active member of the New England Chapter of the Women’s Jewelry Association for over twenty years. In that time she has served on the board and various committees. Donna currently serves as a director and treasurer of the New England chapter. As treasurer, Donna has made a significant contribution towards establishing and maintaining a financially strong chapter. This solid economic foundation enables the chapter to encourage and mentor membership and to conduct quality educational programs and special events.
Donna’s strong commitment to the jewelry industry is evident by her experience. She has spent over twenty-five years in the industry. Donna’s knowledge of the jewelry industry, her merchandising, selling and design skills have gained her the respect of her customers and her peers.
Her career started as Assistant Vice-President in Merchandising & Sales for the former Catamore Company in East Providence, RI. It was one of the largest employers in the jewelry industry. Her primary responsibilities encompassed servicing high profile, major accounts including Sarah Coventry, Avon, Sears Roebuck, JC Penney Co., Spiedel, Service Merchandise and Best Products.
In 1983 she formed Chardon Designs, Inc. a sales and consulting business. In 1986, she and her husband expanded Chardon into a full-service manufacturing, design and importing company.
Donna joined Ultralite Technology, a manufacturer of 14Kt and 18Kt Electroform Jewelry, in 1994. As Director of Sales her responsibilities included product presentations, design, production, merchandising, sales and trade shows and her talents and expertise were focused on selling to major retailers and wholesalers.
In addition to merchandising and sales responsibilities, Donna was manager of the company’s factory outlet store “The Jewelry Factory.” In 1997, Ultralite Technology was purchased by Chain Technology, Inc. an Italian Chain Manufacturer of both solid and hollow chain.
Today, Donna works for Gannon & Scott, Inc., a refiner, assayer & supplier of Precious Metals. Established in 1919, Gannon & Scott provides services to leading companies across North America through its Rhode Island and Phoenix facilities. In addition to customer service and sales support responsibilities, Donna is responsible for administrative support to the President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer.
Donna is also a Director on the Board of the New England Chapter of the International Precious Metals Institute (IPMI) and chair of its jewelry design competition. She is also a member of the Providence Jewelers Club and is serving as Past President of the Friends Society of the Rhode Island Philharmonic. Donna is married to Chuck Kiesel, has two grown children and is a grandmother of four.
Northern California ~ Judy Jingirian
Judy Jingirian began her career in the jewelry industry in 1972, as co-owner of Jingirian Jewelers, a retail jewelry store, with her husband Khatchig. In 1976, the two closed the retail store to concentrate on Jingirian, a wholesale import company. Judy has managed the company’s finances since its inception, and continues to do so presently. She has also traveled numerous times to Europe and worked to create the company’s unique line of merchandise.
In 1997, Judy joined the Women’s Jewelry Association, Northern California Chapter. She has been an active member of the organization and has since been an active member of the chapter board. Currently Judy serves as Chapter President and has played an active part in organizing the chapter’s annual “Designers by the Bay” event.
Judy’s business experience is not limited to the jewelry industry. From 1992, to 2001, Judy launched and operated Golden Travel, a full service travel agency, while continuing to handle finances for Jingirian. In addition to working full time and her participation in the WJA, Judy is also a part-time student and a candidate for her bachelor’s degree. She is also active in the San Francisco Armenian community and is the current President of the Burlingame Women’s Club.
Pacific Northwest ~ Ann-Marie Walker
Ann Marie has been integral to the re-launch and growth of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the WJA. Her strong commitment to the organization has been evident in her willingness to even explore new computer horizons: checking out online discussion boards, newsletter publishing and creating a questionnaire. Ann Marie is indeed a shining star!
San Diego ~ Vickie Riggs
After attending a GIA Career Fair, Vickie was encouraged to join WJA. As she put it, “I added it to my “To Do” list. And although it’s quite a list , “To Do” is quite an understatement. Vickie doesn’t just do – she excels.
One year after joining the San Diego Chapter of WJA, Vickie became a board member. Drawing from (pun intended) her graphic design experience, Vickie has almost single-handedly designed, created, and produced the chapter’s newsletters. Year after year, Vickie has put kept the newsletters fresh, exciting, interesting – and printing – all while managing her own San Diego-based jewelry business, Vickie Riggs Designs.
But more than that, Vickie is a motivating force, always ready with a helping hand and a friendly smile. With her compassion, energy, and creativity, Vickie has distinguished herself in everything she has done – and she has done a lot. Incredibly, however, the one thing Vickie hadn’t done was go to New York. But that changed when Vickie, as the first recipient of the chapter’s Shining Star Award, went to the WJA Women in the Know Conference in New York City. Long recognized for her outstanding contribution to the San Diego Chapter of WJA, Vickie received an expenses-paid trip to New York City and admission into the Women in the Know Conference.
Southwest ~ Janisue Rigel
Janisue Rigel has loved being in the jewelry industry for thirty years and has worn many “hats.” She started working for Dallas Market Center registering vendors and buyers for markets. The next steps were being a sales rep and managing TOLA, a salesmen’s association and credit union. Janisue was the executive secretary for the Southwest 24kt Club of Dallas for 20 years and especially loved helping plan their grand dinner dances.
In 1990 Janisue was employed by M. I. D. A. S. Inc. to be the director of their fine jewelry show and joined the American Society of Association Executives. 2004 started her new focus as executive director and owner of the Southwest Midas Texan Fine Jewelry Show at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center.
Another “hat” has been Lone Star GIAAA where she was a founding member and has been secretary, vice president and 2005 president. She was in Tucson to receive GIA’s Outstanding Chapter of the Year Award and Volunteer of The Year Award. She has been instrumental in bringing over $10,000 per year for Lone Star’s education scholarships. During the year Janisue earned GIA’s Accredited Jewelry Professional designation.
Janisue is also a founding member of the Southwest Women’s Jewelry Association and has been secretary, vice president and president. Two more of her passions are the Arkansas Jewelers Association and Jewelers Leadership Conference. She is the Executive Director of the JLC and helps plan networking for jewelers in Arkansas and the five state area.
Pennsylvania ~ Lisa Huczko
Lisa Huczko has been with the Pennsylvania chapter for a number of years, serving currently as the chapter secretary, carrying more than her share of the work load as a member of the executive board and working tirelessly to keep the chapter functioning smoothly. She has been employed at Superfit for more than ten years, working closely with Gena Alulis, the company’s CEO.
As a gesture of appreciation for her dedication to her job and WJA, friends, family and co-workers surprised her with a memorable dinner to mark her tenth anniversary with Superfit. The Shining Star award now brings national recognition of her contribution to WJA..
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