Tell us about how you came to the jewelry industry.

I started my jewelry career in January 1984, working for a friend as a part-time apprentice while attending my first year of college. My High School studies included math, science, computer programming, and electronics. My school had a great electronics program, and I took six semesters of that class. I loved that class. In May of 84, I got an opportunity to work in a small wholesale casting shop. It wasn't much of an interview; I had no experience casting or mold making, but the owner was very short-handed, and I had a great reference from my friend. Early in 1987, after almost three years, I became operation manager, overseeing four technicians. I quit in January of 1987 to find a new challenge. Several colleagues convinced me to start my shop, and in May 1987, I opened Au Enterprises.

What attracted you to the JS project?

It was imperative to me that the Symposium continue. I attended my first SFS in the mid-nineties, which changed my jewelry career. After 27 years, the Symposium became my interface for everything technical in our trade. It was announced In January 2022 that the Symposium was ending, and this would be the last year. I found that news devastating and decided to find support to launch a new event with the soul of SFS. With tremendous industry support, the team successfully launched The Jewelry Symposium in 2023.