Appointments: Macy’s names new president

New York--Jeffrey Gennette, who spent the past five years as chief merchandising officer at Macy’s, has been named president of the corporation.

His appointment is effective immediately.

Gennette will retain day-to-day responsibility for Macy’s merchandising functions, oversee marketing and Macys.com, and assume responsibility for Macy’s Private Brands organization.

In addition to his former role as CMO, Gennette was chairman and CEO of Macy’s West and Northwest, as well as executive vice president and director of stores for Macy’s Central. He also has held positions with FAO Schwartz and Broadway Stores.

Milenyum Mining Ltd. announced that Custom Gem Cutting Ltd./Wobito Gems is Canada’s first authorized dealer of the gemstone csarite.

Csarite is a color-changing diaspore from Turkey and is mined solely by Milenyum, a member of the International Colored Gemstone Association.

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As part of the announcement, Milenyum has donated csarite rough crystals to the Canadian Gemmological Association for study and education.

Larry Johnson and Grant Walsh have joined the mentoring team of The Edge Retail Academy, which offers industry-specific seminars and mentoring services to improve profitability for jewelers.

Johnson is the founder of Larry Johnson Consulting Services and author of The Complete Guide to Effective Jewelry Display. He has presented seminars at JCK and other trade shows and has been a featured columnist in InStore and Canadian Jeweller. For the academy, Johnson will provide a case-by-case analysis of jeweler’s displays, offering specific strategies to sell more merchandise at better margins.

Walsh is the founder of Walsh Family Business Advisory Services and director and founder of KPMG Enterprise Centre for Family Business in Ottawa, Canada. He frequently writes articles on family business and has authored publications addressing the challenges of multi-generational succession. Walsh aims to help family-owned retailers develop plans that improve economic growth and promote family harmony.

Barbara Laird has been appointed president of Jude Frances jewelry, overseeing all aspects of sales, product development and the strategic direction and expansion of the brand.

She was the former vice president of sales at the company, a position she held for six years.

Laird most recently served as vice president of sales at Slane, and has also held roles at Armenta and Robert Lee Morris.

London-based jewelry distributor International Bullion & Metal Brokers has been certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council for meeting the highest ethical, social and environmental standards