Jim Woodard, Woodard’s Diamonds & Design, receives Jeweler of the Year honor
(ATLANTA) – The 24 Karat Club Southeastern United States hosted its 45th annual Banquet at the Atlanta County Club on August 10th. Each year the 24 Karat Club honors an outstanding jeweler with its Jeweler of the Year Award, announces scholarship recipients and inducts new members at the black tie event.
Jim Woodard of Woodard’s Diamonds & Designs in Tullahoma, TN was presented with the 24K Club’s prestigious Jeweler of the Year Award for 2019. “Wow – what a tremendous honor it was to be chosen as the 2019 Jeweler of the Year by the Southeastern 24 Karat Club,” said Woodard. “It was very special and ironic to me that this was the 45th annual Banquet and this was also my 45th year in the diamond and jewelry business.
2019 24 Karat Club S.E.U.S. Jeweler of the Year Jim Woodard with sponsoring member Carolyn Woltz Lennon.
“I’ve had the pleasure of being invited to a few of the 24K Banquets over the years but I never thought I would be nominated or selected as a winner! I felt so humbled to receive this award because I have known many past winners and have such high respect for those that were chosen long before me. I also know many of the 24K members (past and present) and their passion for this business of celebrating life and love with gifts of precious gems and jewelry has always been inspiring.
“The 24K Club and their respected members have always been so helpful to us (the retailers) with their products, pricing, training our staff when needed, knowledge, resources and exceptional service. Many thanks to you the 24K Club!
“I am so very grateful for my Woodard’s team who work with me day in and day out, our customers who support us with their trust and business, our suppliers who we can’t do without and especially my sponsor Carolyn Woltz Lennon and my co-sponsors Terry Chandler and Keely Grice and to all the industry and community professionals that supported me with a letter of endorsement. Also, thanks to Randy Lindsey and the 24K Selection Committee for their hard research and naming me as the Jeweler of the Year. I am eternally thankful. To God be the glory!”
Jim began his career in the jewelry industry in the 1970s at the age of 16. In 1991 he bought Jennings Jewelers in Tullahoma and changed the name to Woodard’s. To accommodate the growth of his business, he has twice moved into larger locations. He is now in a 4600-square-foot freestanding location and is planning to move again in the fall of this year. A former President of the Tennessee Jewelers Association, Jim has also been a member of Jewelers of America for 45 years, the Independent Jewelers Organization for 43 years and the Continental Buying Group for over 10 years. Highly active in his community, he has been involved in numerous civic, business and charitable organizations, serving as an officer and on boards and regularly receiving awards and honors. Despite all he has achieved, Jim considers his four children, Anna, Stone, Grace and Hope, to be his most noteworthy accomplishments.
Robert Foremon Memorial Scholarship winner Anna Doll with Club President Keely Grice.
The 24 Karat Club’s 2019 scholarship recipients were announced during the event. Scholarships included:
- Robert Foreman Memorial, $2,000 to Anna Doll – Jewelry by Gail, Nags Head, NC
- Sterling Reputation, $1250 award funded by Steve Berkowitz of Sterling Reputation to Dana Jenny – B & N Jewelry, Marietta, GA
- Diamond in the Rough, $1250 award funded by Judy Upton of Judy Carter & Associates to Jonathan Ratliff – Legacy Diamond Jewelers – Carrollton, GA
“Our Club is honored to present scholarships to an outstanding group of rising stars within our industry,” said Kathy Beall, scholarship committee chair. “One of the most important objectives of our organization is awarding the gift of learning.”
(l-r) Club President Keely Grice with new members Regina Ciarleglio, Jewelers of America; Mike Abbott, Abbott Jewelry Systems; and Eric Lux, Rembrandt Charms.
Three new members were inducted into the Club during the event. The group of new members included: Mike Abbott, Director of Sales, Abbott Jewelry Systems; Regina Ciarleglio, Director of Membership, Jewelers of America; and Eric Lux, Vice President Rembrandt Charms.
The 24K Club SEUS also announced the Club’s new slate of officers and the board of directors. Officers include: President, Randy Lindsey; Vice President, Sheri Ihde; Treasurer, Judy Upton; Secretary, Rick Arnemann; Executive Secretary, Robert Loving; and Immediate Past President, Keely Grice. Board of Directors: Melissa Becker, Allan Cagle, Lecil Henderson; David Siminski and Carolyn Woltz Lennon.
24 Karat Club officers and board of directors: (l-r) Randy Lindsey, Keely Grice, Bill Newnam, Carolyn Woltz Lennon, Terry Chandler, Melissa Becker, Judy Upton, David Siminski, Sheri Ihde, Howard Kelrick and Robert Loving. Not pictured, Rick Arnemann.
“The 24 Karat Club SEUS is a unique organization and I am proud to be a member,” said incoming President, Randy Lindsey. “Our main emphasis as a Club focuses on assisting and promoting any act designed to improve the quality of the jewelry industry. I am deeply honored to have been elected as 24 Karat Club president and look forward to working with our incredible Board of Directors and members going forward into 2020.”
Sponsors for the event included: Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group, Diamond Council of America, Judy Carter & Associates, SJTA/The Atlanta Jewelry Show, United Precious Metals Refining; Berkley Asset Protection, Jewelers of America, Southern Jewelry Insurance, Synchrony Financial, The Harmon Group, Sterling Reputation, Time Delay Corporation, Southern Jewelry News, Benchmark, Stuller, Inc., WLH Limited – The Henderson Collection, Retail Jeweler Magazine, Hyde & Associates.
The 24 Karat Club Southeastern United States is a prestigious organization of industry professionals representing leading members from the jewelry supplier sector. Members are considered and recognized because of their industry accomplishments, personal and civic contributions and their commitment to the betterment of the jewelry industry. For more information please visit www.The24KaratClub.org.
