(NORWALK, Conn.) – Industry veteran Bill Furman, who devoted his life to jewelry, its people, and their advertising needs is hanging up his signature hat in July and will be retiring from his most recent position at Reed Jewelry Group as Sales Executive for JIS (Jewelers International Showcase) Shows.
Over the last four decades, Bill has been a memorable, fun, inspiring icon to everyone who has crossed his path. After teaching in New York for two years, Bill devoted his life to the jewelry industry in 1971 when he began selling advertising and marketing opportunities for JCK & Rand McNally. A short twenty one years later, in June 1992, Bill partook in the official launching of the first ever JCK Las Vegas show, with a small family of colleagues from the magazine. Ironic, but not surprising to anyone who knows Bill, he was still walking and jumping around the show floor at this year’s event, celebrating the twenty sixth year of JCK Las Vegas. A fixture on the show floor at JCK and many other events in the industry, Bill’s invigorating attitude and pep in every step characteristic is a part of him that will be missed but never forgotten as it’s made an indelible mark in the industry.
Bill didn’t just take part in launching JCK Las Vegas, he also helped kick start JCK Trend & Luxury magazine, merchandised JCK Japan, Vista Joyera, NY Diamonds, AJM – and the list goes on. All over the world, Bill Furman has become a staple in the tight knit jewelry community. Bill was one of the strong holds in the industry; one of the special people that we are all so privileged to know and associate with our careers in jewelry. As Yancy Weinrich, Senior Vice President of Reed Jewelry Group, has always said, “When I retire, I’d like to be remembered like Bill Furman; someone that was passionately committed to his customers, and made friends and a family amongst our industry.” In addition to sales and launching events, Bill even stepped into the world of food as JCK Magazine’s official Gourmet Editor, writing restaurant reviews for all regional show guides. Although Furman won’t be traversing the endless show floors like he has in the past, you will still see him enjoying delicious meals and maybe even writing reviews of his son’s restaurant brand, Free Range LA.
