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WJA announces 2010 Hall of Fame honorees

December 16, 2009

New York--The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) will honor Susan Jacques of Borsheims, James Courage of Platinum Guild International (PGI) and JCK Events/JCK Magazine with induction into its Hall of Fame for the association's 2010 Awards for Excellence.

Susan Jacques, president and chief executive officer of Borsheims in Omaha, Neb., will receive the WJA's 2010 Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award. Jacques, who was raised in Zimbabwe, formerly the British colony of Rhodesia, came to the United States to earn her Graduate Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America. She joined Borsheims in 1982, serving in various roles until being named president and CEO in 1994 by Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

"Susan is one of the most recognized women retailers in the United States. Her story highlights the importance of education, family values and passion for this industry," WJA President Yancy Weinrich said in a media release.

James Courage, CEO of PGI, will receive the WJA Hall of Fame Ben Kaiser Award. Courage has led PGI as its CEO since 1996, following a distinguished career as the marketing manager for De Beers and public relations executive at the Diamond Trading Co. Under Courage's leadership, PGI inspires passion for platinum through industry education and consumer information and promotion.

"Throughout his career, James has consistently supported the mission of WJA by empowering women in the industry as well as supporting WJA initiatives through corporate sponsorships," event chair Lisa Cochin said in the release. "We are thrilled to present this prestigious award to such a worthy recipient."

The WJA selected JCK Events and JCK Magazine for its Hall of Fame Corporate Award for Excellence in recognition of its longtime support of women in the jewelry industry.

"The Hall of Fame committee's selection of JCK Events and JCK Magazine is an affirmation of JCK's long history of supporting and promoting the WJA and its initiatives at all levels," WJA incoming president Kendra Bridel Weinman said in the release. "They've also demonstrated an admirable commitment to the advancement of women within their own organization."

The WJA will honor the Hall of Fame inductees at a gala on July 26 at Chelsea Piers in New York City.

At the event, the WJA also will present Awards for Excellence in retail, design, manufacturing/supplier, sales, marketing and communications, editorial/reporting/publishing and special services.

Established in 1984, the WJA Annual Awards for Excellence dinner is one of the most well-attended and highly anticipated events in the jewelry industry each year. Lisa Cochin of the Diamond Promotion Service will chair the 2010 event.

Founded in 1983, the WJA is the pre-eminent association of professional women in the jewelry, watch and related businesses. Through the national organization, headquartered in Chicago Ridge, Ill., and a network of 13 regional chapters and an International Affiliate Chapter in India, members benefit from educational and networking opportunities, scholarships, design competitions, annual women's business conferences and recognition programs, such as its annual Awards for Excellence gala.

For more information about the WJA, visit its Web site, WomensJewelry.org.
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