next generation advisory board introductions

RETAIL JEWELERS ORGANIZATION

115 W 4th St. N., Newton IA

800.247.1774

www.rjomembers.com

“I honestly cannot begin to imagine what it would be like if I did not have all the friends and peers which

I have met because of the Next Gen Group and RJO. Without any Next Generation how would RJO be

able to continue in the future? RJO can benefit in many ways by seeing what the NG has to bring to the

Industry.”

Store phone: (616) 392-1626 Store website: www.thomasadavis.com

Cell phone: (269) 650-0270 E-Mail: [email protected]

Retail Jewelry Career Overview:

Brief does not really explain my career but I will say that it started when I was 9 years old and in 4th

grade. My father would do his custom wax carving at home to be able to at least spend a little extra time

with his family. As a child I would play around, and finally decided I would carve a true ring. I carved the

letter "B" and took the final silver cast ring to school where my 4 grade teacher "Mrs. Schulteis" was just

amazed and made me get in front of the whole school at the gifted and talented show to tell them all

how I made the ring. Well this did not go so well, I do not do well with public speaking. Either way this is

really where it all began. Further through life my father thought that I would go into culinary as I still

really enjoy cooking and baking. Well I came back to the store every Christmas and finally took on more

of a part time role in 2002, moving into more full-time in 2003.

Current Career Roles/Responsibilities:

My current role in the store hmm...well that consists of more than one thing. My current title would be

store manager consisting of all the inventory buying, Cad/Cam, custom work, and hand carving still,

complex bench work, manage the floor and employees, change watch batteries and I handle all the

advertising.....too many hats!

Expertise/experience that contributes to current roles:

• Certified Sales Associate, AGS

• Registered Jeweler, AGS

• Certified Diamond Setter

• Graduate Diamonds, GIA

• Traveled to Antwerp for Diamond Buying

Additional Information:

I try to have a life outside of Work ;) I am Assistant Coach Administrator AYSO (Soccer) while coaching

one of my three boys in soccer. I love to be out at the lake boating in the summer. I have a 139 year old

house that we have been working on for almost 12 years. I have been married for 10 years this August

and have 3 wonderful boys!

BRENDON DAVIS

Thomas A. Davis Jewelers 39 East 8th St., Holland, MI 49423

12 Years in the Jewelry Industry

“Next Gen is so important because it allows all of us "next gen-ers" to feel we are not alone. It lets us

openly discuss issues we have with our owners and co-workers and to learn how different stores operate.

It allows us to see a different side of the story, to look at problems a different way. It gives us the

opportunity to be able to grow as individuals, to feel more confident in the future direction of "our" store

and provides the concrete skills to get us there. It shows us that everyone takes on a different role and

allows us to discuss how to better ourselves in that role. We are also able to network with people in the

industry to get honest feedback on WHAT IS WORKING and what isn’t.”

Store phone: (319) 338-4212 Store website: www.herteenandstockerjewelers.com



I am currently on the road to becoming a partner in Herteen & Stocker, to eventually be owner of the

store. I have taken the Diamond Essentials course, and plan to continue my education in the industry

with further information I obtain from colleagues and RJO.


• Sales

• Sales trainer

• Buyer

• Website Manager

• Social Media Manager (facebook, instagram, twitter)

• Advertising Manager

• Window/Display Designer

• Visual Merchandiser of store

• Inventory Data Entry


• Member of the Iowa Jewelers Association Board

• Bachelors Degree, Harrington Institute of Design (Chicago)

KATE DICKENS

Herteen & Stocker Jewelers 101 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA 52245

4 ½ Years in the Jewelry Industry

Store phone: Store website: www.jamesmartinjewelers.com

Cell phone: E-Mail:



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LUCAS DOLAND

James Martin Jewelers 1640 John F Kennedy Rd., Dubuque, IA 52002

XX Years in the Jewelry Industry

“With more and more small businesses closing, it is imperative for the current workforce to be

knowledgeable and empowered to take the reins. Next Gen is - and will continue to become - an

important tool for those ready to take control of their business. Through networking, training, and

education we can properly ready the coming generation of jewelers to successfully run their businesses.”

Store phone: (563) 583-7936 Store website: www.dolandjewelers.com



Though I worked for my father in the business off and on growing up, I never had the intention of

making a career in the industry. After a short teaching career, I decided to join the family business full

time. I started as a sales associate and soon took on other tasks such as managing the website and other

office tasks.


In our Dubuque store, I manage our inventory and help on the sales floor. I handle day to day

communication with our marketing agency.


I am currently working my way through GIA's Graduate Gemologist distance learning program.


I live in Dubuque, Iowa with my wife Lindsay and our two daughters.

NICK DOLAND

Doland Jewelers 1735 John F Kennedy Rd., Dubuque, IA 52002


”The Next Gen group is a fantastic resource for people new or getting into the business. The current

owners (parents) have their own core set of friends and resources. We, as Next Gen, can get a network of

peers much faster and more extensive than the previous generation. This industry is so expansive. Having

a group like this in which we can get advice quickly from trusted colleagues who have experienced the

exact issues we deal with on a daily basis is so important. Knowing there is someone you can reach out to

with issues provides so much peace of mind.”

Store phone: (563) 326-1847 Store website: www.dolandjewelers.com



I began in the business in junior high and worked part time through high school and college. I graduated

from the University of Northern Iowa with an art: jewelry metals degree and completed my Graduate

Gemologist degree from GIA in Carlsbad directly after college. I have run the second of two stores in the

family business since December 1 of 2003.


• Manager/Owner

• Head Custom Designer

• Sales

• Appraiser

• Sales Trainer


• Graduate Gemologist

• Member of the Iowa Jewelers Association Board

• Rotary International Member

WILL DOLAND

Doland Jewelers 3865 Elmore Ave., Davenport, IA 52807


“The Next Gen is a very important group in RJO because it is our future and the future of the group. It

brings a group of people together that may not have joined together otherwise, to share experiences and

lessons. This is something that each generation can use in the future. It is a group that will keep on giving

to make the future of RJO even better.”

Store phone: (712) 792-3807 Store website: eckermanjewelry.com



My career in the jewelry industry is old and new. I have been around and incorporated in the jewelry

industry my whole life, but started working in the store in 2007. I was on and off through holidays and

different time periods. I started officially as a full time employee, August 2013. I am currently a manager

within the store and enrolled in GIA classes.


My role in the store is in many areas. I am the full time manager and I am in charge of ordering, keeping

up on inventory, keeping up with new trends, customer care, advertising, and fully in charge of Pandora

and Vera Bradley.


I have a degree in Child, Adult, and Family Services & a minor in Event Management. Both of these

degrees have taught me many things about human interaction and customer service. I think these

backgrounds have helped me in many different things within the jewelry business.


I feel it is important to know that I am eager to learn more about this business. Through my time as a full

time employee and having the opportunity to grow up with the business I feel as if I have the knowledge

and tools to push my career forward. I am excited to see what the Next Gen group generates and see

what I can take from it and use on my own.

KENIDY ECKERMAN

Eckerman Jewelry 511 North Adams St., Carroll, IA 51401

1 ½ Years in the Jewelry Industry

“I feel the Next Gen group is important to RJO because we are the future of the jewelry industry. The

Next Gen group can play a pivotal role in helping RJO grow as an organization while also bringing their

own stores into the future of the jewelry industry.”

Store phone: (419) 693-4311 Store website: alanmillerjewelers.com



I've grown up in the industry. I had started going to shows when I was about 12 years old. During my

senior year at Heidelberg University I had done an internship with a nearby jeweler for a few months

and started working in the family business full-time 3 days after graduation. In the 6 years I've been in

the industry I've had the opportunity to travel to many awesome places in the U.S. and abroad including

being one of two American delegates at the Edge Down Under conference in Australia 2011. I love

helping people find the perfect gift for their loved ones whether it be a nice watch, a Pandora bead,

diamond studs or an engagement ring, I am always happy to help.


Mainly I am in charge of the sales floor but have been taking part in buying at the shows for a few years.

I also help out with marketing, taking care of vendor relations and staff training.


• Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration

• Seiko Certified Professional

CODY MILLER

Alan Miller Jewelers 3239 Navarre Ave., Oregon, OH 43616


“The Next Gen group is important to RJO because it creates a forum for people who are at similar points

in their careers to network, share experiences and advise each other. In addition, it offers education and

training for Next Gen owners, managers and employees to help them be successful and prepare them for

the future as they evolve with the industry. It also allows those in the Next Gen to get more involved in

the organization and provides a different perspective on various issues.”

Store phone: (319) 352-4112 Store website: www.tenenbaumsjewelry.com



Tenenbaum's has been in our family since 1960 when my grandparents purchased the store. My father

began working there in the 1970's so I grew up surrounded by the jewelry industry. I officially began

working at Tenenbaum's in high school. My primary focus at that time was engraving and general store

maintenance (cleaning, taking out the trash etc...). As I progressed in high school and college I also

began to work on the sales floor. After college I pursued another career for about 9 years before

returning in 2009 to help my father manage the store. Although I have completed some GIA education

in diamond grading most of what I've learned about the jewelry industry has come from my family and

the experience I've gained in my time at Tenenbaum's.


I currently manage the operations of the store along with my father.


• Board Member - Cedar Valley Friends of the Family

• Board Member - The Larrabee Center

• Trustee - Bartel's Lutheran Retirement Community Endowment

• Board Member - Waverly Area Small Business Incubator and Consultation Center

• I worked as a general practice lawyer from 2004 - 2009. I maintain my license but don't actively

practice.

RYAN RASMUSSEN

Tenenbaum’s Jewelry 219 East Bremer Ave., Waverly, IA 50677


next generation advisory board introductions

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