b'LETTER FROM THE EDITOR120 Broadway, Suite 2820 | New York, NY 10271 | www.nationaljeweler.comFAMILY TIES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF G iven the generational nature of theMichelle Graffjewelry industry, its no surprise thatmichelle.graff@nationaljeweler.comthe same last names appear againEDITORIALand again in the Retailer Hall of Fame roster ofAssociate Editor, News Lenore Fedow inductees.lenore.fedow@nationaljeweler.com There are father-son pairs like Robert (classAssociate Editor, Gemstones Lauren McLemore of 1993) and John Green (2004), father-daughterlauren.mclemore@nationaljeweler.comteams such as Harold (1989) and Cathy TivolAssociate Editor, Fashion Natalie Francisco(2018), mother-daughter duos like Helenenatalie.francisco@nationaljeweler.com(1990) and Esther Fortunoff (1998), and too many husband-wife teams to count.CONTRIBUTORSThere is even one family that has fourJA Contributor Amanda Gizzimembers in the Retailer Hall of Fame, theCopy Editor Peggy Jo DonahueBridge family of Ben Bridge Jeweler. RobertArt Direction and Design Weswen DesignBridge was inducted as a member of the first class in 1989, followed by Herb in 1998, Ed in 2003, and Jon in 2010. SALESBut the Retailer Hall of Fame hasnt had a brother-sister team, until now.U.S. Sales | Bobbie HamburgRonald Leitzel and his younger sister, Tonia Leitzel Ulsh, own and operatebobbie.hamburg@nationaljeweler.com | 610-716-1225Mountz Jewelers. Over the years, theyve utilized their individual strengthsTonia is omni- India Sales | Kaushal Shah present on the salesfloor while Ron handles the booksto make Mountz thekaushal@kaushals.com | +91 98217 15431go-to store for popular jewelry brands in Central Pennsylvania.Learn more about them in Associate Editor, Fashion, Natalie FranciscosMARKETING & COMMUNICATIONSstory on page 26. Director of Marketing & Communications This years issue also marks the first time a pair of brothers has been in- Molly Fallon | mfallon@jewelers.orgducted together as members of the same class.Marketing & Communications Manager Judd Rottenberg and his younger brother, Craig Rottenberg, both tookEmily Russo | erusso@jewelers.orgdetours on the road to becoming principal and president, respectively, of theDigital Services Managerfamily jewelry business, Longs Jewelers. Michael Coleman | mcoleman@jewelers.orgRead about their journey in the story Associate Editor, Gemstones, LaurenMarketing CoordinatorMcLemore wrote on page 14. Jordan Carmel | jcarmel@jewelers.orgRounding out the slate of inductees this year is Gina Drosos, CEO of Signet Jewelers. Drosos has faced myriad challenges since taking the helm at one of the biggest jewelry companies in the world seven years ago.In her story on page 38, Associate Editor, News, Lenore Fedow details how Drosos listened, leaned on her team, and turned to data to help tackle problems. Normally, the Retailer Hall of Fame issue wraps up with a story on a retailPRESIDENT & CEOtrend, but this year, National Jeweler decided to pay tribute instead.David J. BonaparteAs many of you already know, John Kennedy is retiring after 32 years asBOARD OF DIRECTORS president of the Jewelers Security Alliance.Coleman Clark, Chair, BC Clark Jewelers Edward Dikes, Weston JewelersEarlier this summer, he sat down with me to talk about his career pre-JSA,Matthew Rosenheim, Chair-Elect, Sue Hopeman, Robbins Brothers Jewelersthe most difficult stretch of his time at JSA, and whether he has any regretsTiny Jewel Box Sheryl Jones, Sheryl Jones Inc.about retiring. (Spoiler: He doesnt.) Steve Padis, Vice Chair, Padis Jewelry Julie Keeney, Fred Meyer JewelersYou can read my profile on John on page 52.Elise Greenberg, Vice Chair, Lenny Kramer, Leo Schachter DiamondsGreenbergs Jewelers Valerie Madison, Valerie MadisonI hope you enjoy this issue and have a happy and fruitful holiday season. Steve Velasquez, Secretary, Fine JewelryMadison Jewelers Robert Marks, Rogers Jewelry Co.Karen Goracke, Treasurer, Borsheims Hunter McGrath, TivolRobert F. Moeller II, Immediate Past Chair, Constance Polamalu, Zacharys JewelersR.F. Moeller Jewelers Stan Razny, Razny JewelersLawrence Bock, Bachendorfs Tobey Ritchie, Harry RitchiesMichelle M. Graff, Editor-in-Chief Joseph Corey, Days Jewelers Sherry Smith, The Edge Retail AcademyKim Crawford, Macys Inc. Tonia Leitzel Ulsh, Mountz Jewelers12 RETAILER HALL OF FAME 2024 Krystle Craycraft, Jewelers Mutual Group'