Diamond Council of America Names New President & CEO
Changes Reflect Evolution of Organization
NASHVILLE, TN: The Diamond Council of America (DCA), the premier, not-for-profit educational association for the retail jewelry salesperson, today announced that it has elected Terry Chandler as the organization's new President and CEO. Chandler's first major undertaking in his new role as President was the recent relocation of the organization's headquarters from Kansas City to Nashville, TN.
"The move to Nashville represents the continued evolution of the DCA," said Chandler. "Last year we made a significant investment in revising our The Diamond Course, and this relocation is just the next step in our effort to maintain the DCA's position in the jewelry education industry."
The recent changes at the organization will enable the DCA to provide better member services in a more efficient and timely manner. "Our membership and their students are critical to us, and we have a responsibility to make their success our number-one priority," said Chandler. "I will apply my 21 years of retail jewelry experience to make certain the DCA understands and responds to the changing needs of these students. I understand their environment and the challenges they are faced with, and know how to facilitate their successful completion of the DCA courses," he added.
For more than 20 years, the Diamond Council of America was managed by Martin Fromm & Associates, based in Kansas City, MO. The association management firm closed its doors in March after more than 50 years of serving a number of clients in a variety of industries.
"With the recent closing of Martin Fromm & Associates, the board saw an opportunity for the DCA to leave the association management realm and open its own shop, so to speak," said Chandler. "This has allowed us to take greater control of the organization and be more involved in its success," added Chandler.
Chandler has been a member of the DCA for 21 years and has served on DCA's board since 1988. As President, he will now be in charge of the organization's day-to-day operations. Chandler also will lead all new member recruitment initiatives, manage the DCA's participation in jewelry trade shows and industry organization and oversee member relations.
In relate news, Jeff Comment, president and CEO of Helzberg Diamonds, was elected Chairman of the Board. In his new role, Comment will be responsible for guiding the DCA's future growth and ensuring it maintains its mission of providing vision, direction and education for the retail jeweler. Comment previously served as the DCA's President-Elect, and has been a member of the DCA since 1997.
Bruce Kenny of Sterling Jewelers remains Secretary/Treasurer. "It is his astute management of the DCA finances over the last eight years that has enabled the DCA to continually grow and improve our educational resources," said Chandler.
The Diamond Council of America, headquartered in Nashville, TN, was founded in 1944 as a foundation to educate jewelry sales professionals about diamonds and gems. The organization provides the professional jeweler with an opportunity to earn certification in diamonds and gemstones, and gives salespeople the knowledge and training necessary to make them successful. Today, the DCA represents more than 2,000 independent and chain retail jewelry stores and leading suppliers of diamonds and gems across the country.