Former Tiffany exec joins Worthy as president

Worthy, an online marketplace for pre-owned luxury goods, has named former Tiffany & Co. executive Peter Schneirla as its first president.

Michelle Graff michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com

New York--Worthy, an online marketplace for pre-owned luxury goods, has named former Tiffany & Co. executive Peter Schneirla as its first president.

In his new role, Schneirla will be in charge of forging strategic partnerships, fostering business growth and overseeing the expansion of the company’s in-house grading labs.

Prior to joining Worthy, he held various positions in the international jewelry, colored stone, and diamond markets, including roles at Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston, De Beers, LVMH, the Gemological Institute of America and many more.

During his eight years at Tiffany, Schneirla served as executive vice president and chief gemologist, responsible for expanding the whole jewelry division and “bringing the Tiffany & Co. permanent collection to life.”

He is a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America and has served as its director of resident education.

Schneirla also served on the board of directors of both the American Gem Society and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.

Sotheby’s names new CEO
Sotheby’s has hired Tad Smith as its new president and CEO, effective March 31. He also will join the company’s board of directors.

Smith is replacing William Ruprecht, who has served as Sotheby’s CEO since 2000.

Prior to Sotheby’s, Smith was the president and CEO of the Madison Square Garden Company, a role he was in since February 2014 and which required him to oversee the strategy and day-to-day operations of MSG Sports, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment.

Concurrent with the announcement of Smith’s hire, Sotheby’s also said that it would now separate the roles of CEO and chairman of the board. The board has elected Lead Independent Director Domenico De Sole to succeed Ruprecht as chairman.

Zenith promotes from within for brand director
Cedric Laroche, who has been at Zenith since 2012, has been promoted to the position of North American brand director, effective April 1.

He will be in charge of Zenith’s U.S. subsidiary as well as all sales and marketing activities in North America.

Laroche’s career in the watch industry began in 2005. He held various positions throughout Europe, Russia, Middle East and Asia, joining Zenith in 2012 as brand director of North Europe, including the Benelux, Scandinavian and French markets.

JBT holds annual elections
The Jewelers Board of Trade has elected new officers and directors to the board.

The following have been selected to serve a one-year term.
--Chairman: Richard Weisenfeld, Pranda North America, Cranston, R.I.

Banner will be right here …

--First Vice-Chairman: Todd Wolleman, Leo Wolleman, New York, N.Y.
--Second Vice-Chairman: Michael Kaplan, Rocket Jewelry Box, Bronx, N.Y
--President: Dione Kenyon
--Secretary: Brenda Pimentel
--Treasurer: Alisa Dumond

Re-elected to the board for another two years are the following.
--Phyllis Bergman, Mercury Ring (division of Interjewel USA, Inc.), New York, N.Y.
--Brian Fleming, Carla Corporation, East Providence, R.I.
--Kevin Green, Seiko Corporation of America, Mahwah, N.J.
--Michael Kaplan, Rocket Jewelry Box, Bronx, N.Y.
--Richard Katz, Samuel Aaron, Inc., Long Island City, N.Y.
--Richard LeStage, LeStage Manufacturing Co., Attleboro Falls, Mass.
--Avi Raz, A & Z Pearls, Los Angeles, Calif.
--Pinny Rubin, Quality Gold, Fairfield, Ohio

The following board members will continue to serve existing terms.
--Ann Arnold, Arnold Advisory Group, Norwood, N.J.
--Anthony Capuano, HSBC Bank USA, Rehoboth, M.A.
--Edward DeCristofaro, LDC, E. Providence, R.I.
--Philip Holden, The Gordon Company, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
--Basant Johari, Kuber Manufacturing, New York, N.Y.
--Roderick Lichtenfels, W. R. Cobb Company, E. Providence, R.I.
--Richard Weisenfeld, Pranda North America, Cranston, R.I.
--Todd Wolleman, Leo Wolleman, New York, N.Y.

Newly elected to the board for two-year terms are Danielle Ingwer Cohen of Leo Ingwer Inc. in New York, and Jared Ashland of Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. in Neenah, W.I.

Board members who will continue to serve existing terms are Richard Greenwood of A. F. Greenwood Co. in New York and F. Daniel Pharr of Pharr Valuation & Business Svcs. in Richmond, Va.

Editor's Note: This article was updated on March 19, 2015 to reflect that Peter Schneirla is a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America, rather than holding a Certified Gemologist Degree from the institute, as it incorrectly stated.

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.