AGS Names 2019 Circle of Distinction Honorees

Las Vegas—The American Gem Society announced the three industry veterans to be honored at its annual Circle of Distinction dinner in New York City in July.

Alan Zimmer, president and CEO of Reeds Jewelers Inc., will take home the Lifetime Achievement Award for “significant contributions” to the fine jewelry industry throughout his career.

Zimmer, son of Reeds founder Bill Zimmer, joined his father’s company in 1981 as executive vice president. He oversaw the merchandising department and worked to modernize the company, which was founded in 1946 in Wilmington, North Carolina.

By 1985, Zimmer had taken the reins as president and CEO of the family business, which has expanded to include 58 locations across 13 states.

Zimmer was added to the Jewelers’ Security Alliance board at its annual meeting in January.

Meanwhile, Caryl Capeci, president at Chow Tai Fook North America, and Elliot Tannenbaum, senior principal of Leo Schachter Diamond Group, have been named to receive this year’s AGS Triple Zero Award, given in recognition of their accomplishments and dedication to the fine jewelry industry.

Capeci got her start working on the De Beers advertising account at NW Ayer in the late 1980s before joining Hearts on Fire in 2007.

By 2015, Capeci was running the show as the company’s president. (Chow Tai Fook acquired the brand in 2014.)

She recently took part in a panel discussion at the Gemological Institute of America’s Jewelry Career Fair in New York, sharing her advice on how to advance one’s career in the jewelry industry.

Elliot Tannenbaum, a member of GIA’s board of governors, joined his father-in-law Leo Schachter at the namesake, family-run diamond company in 1973.

“This year’s honorees are leaders who have taken risks, executed innovative strategies and best practices throughout their career, as well as given their time and talent for the betterment of our industry,” said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories.

The Circle of Distinction dinner on will take place on July 30 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails, followed by a three-course dinner and the awards at 7:30 p.m.

For more information about the event, contact circleofdistinction@ags.org or call 866-805-6500 x1011 or x1005.