What they reported doing
- #1 primary $0MEMBERS PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE PRODUCTION AND SALE OF BUYER'S GUIDE, AND EXPORT ASSISTANCE GUIDE.
What they call their work
What they do
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Jewelry and Gemstone Industry Advancement 6 activities
- Administers a Registered Apprenticeship ProgramOperates the jewelry industry's first nationally recognized Registered Apprenticeship Program, approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, which includes a free 50-week curriculum for training bench jewelers and leads to the nationally recognized Advanced Jewelry Apprentice certification.
- Offers mentorship and training programsProvides mentorship and apprenticeship programs that connect prospective jewelers with experienced professionals, including free training materials, a 50-week curriculum, and access to over 200 online technical videos and resources.
- Organizes design competitionsOrganizes an annual design competition that recognizes jewelers for creativity, artistry, skill, and excellence in jewelry design and craftsmanship.
- Organizes member events and showcasesOrganizes a showcase pavilion at the JA New York Spring Show and participates in events such as the Puyallup GemFaire and The Whole Bead Show to provide visibility, networking, and business opportunities for members.
- Produces and distributes technical and business publicationsProduces and distributes the MJSA Journal (a free monthly magazine for members), compliance guides, regulatory e-updates, and trade books through MJSA Press, covering technical and business topics in the jewelry industry.
- Supports professional development and networkingProvides knowledge, connections, and support to jewelry makers, designers, and suppliers through a membership network of approximately 1,000 companies and nearly 35,000 skilled workers, offering peer networking, marketing resources, and updates on design technologies.
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Member-Exclusive Resource Access 2 activities
- Manages online resource library and information servicesOperates an online library with nearly 2,000 vetted technical and business resources, including articles, podcasts, and videos, with full access for members and paid access for non-members.
- Produces and sells member guidesProduces and sells a Buyer's Guide and an Export Assistance Guide for members, with access provided to approximately 1,000 members.
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Professional Job Board & Career Placement Services 1 activity
- Facilitates job placement and career developmentOperates a jobs board listing career opportunities and a talent bank that connects job seekers with employers in the jewelry industry.
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Member Business Referral & Discount Programs 1 activity
- Provides member concierge and sourcing servicesOperates a concierge team that supports members with sourcing, sales and marketing strategies, and graphic design services; maintains a network of trade suppliers and subcontractors and provides sourcing assistance for tools, supplies, manufacturing, and business services.
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Industry-Specific Student Scholarships and Competitions 1 activity
- Provides scholarships and educational supportAwards scholarships and provides continuing professional education through the MJSA Education Foundation to support students and workers in jewelry design and manufacturing, including public profiles of scholarship recipients.
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Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID COCHRAN | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $321K |
- ALLISON PECK — DIRECTOR
- ANN ARNOLD — OFFICER AT LARGE
- ARIEN GESSNER — VICE CHAIR
- DAVID MELESKI — SECRETARY
- DAVID SIMINSKI — VICE CHAIR
- EDWARD DECRISTOFARO — CHAIR
- JIM BERNARD — DIRECTOR
- JOSEPH ESPOSITO — FOUNDATION CHAIR
- LEE KROMBHOLZ — DIRECTOR
- MARK D DEVEREAUX — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL TOBACK — TREASURER
- ROGER GESSWEIN III — DIRECTOR
- STEVEN A CIPOLLA — OFFICER AT LARGE
- STEVEN ANTHONY CIPOLLA — DIRECTOR
- WILLIAM TAUBNER — DIRECTOR
Who they work with
- Alliance Partners Partner — Endorsed providers of business services supporting MJSA member businesses.
- Fashion Institute of Technology Partner — Organization represented by Michael Corn, Vice Chair of the MJSA Education Foundation Board of Trustees.
- JA New York Spring Show Partner — Collaborates on the MJSA Showcase Pavilion at the JA New York Spring Show.
- JA New York Spring Show Partner — Collaborates with JA New York Spring Show through the MJSA Showcase Pavilion.
- JA New York Spring Show Partner — Hosts the MJSA Showcase Pavilion at the JA New York Spring Show.
- JCK Industry Fund Funder — Provided a grant to launch the MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program in 2023.
- Jewelers of America Network — Member organization whose members participate in the CASE Awards design competition.
- Jewelers of America Partner — Collaborates on event presence through the MJSA Showcase Pavilion at the JA New York Spring Show.
- Jewelers of America Partner — Collaborates on the CASE Awards, a national jewelry design competition, by inviting MJSA members to participate.
- Jewelers of America Partner — Organization represented by Amanda Gizzi, Trustee of the MJSA Education Foundation Board of Trustees.
- Krombholz Jewelers Partner — Organization led by Lee Krombholz, Chair of the MJSA Education Foundation Board of Trustees.
- MJSA Education Foundation Network — 501(c)(3) nonprofit that oversees the MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program and supports career training in professional jewelry making and design.
- MJSA Education Foundation Network — Sponsors educational and career resources for jewelry makers and designers.
- Portland Jewelry Academy Partner — Organization represented by Jason Chandler, Trustee of the MJSA Education Foundation Board of Trustees.
- Rio Grande Partner — Member of MJSA that offers the Burza Drawer Storage System through the MJSA New Product Showcase.
- Stuller Inc. Partner — Member of MJSA that offers the GemOro Desktop XRF Gold & Precious Metal Analyzer through the MJSA New Product Showcase.
- U.S. Department of Labor Government — Approved the MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program as a nationally recognized Registered Apprenticeship Program.
- We Wield the Hammer Partner — Organization represented by Karen Smith, Trustee of the MJSA Education Foundation Board of Trustees.
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Apprenticeship Model for Workforce Developmentmethodology: workforce-development-through-apprenticeshipsBy establishing state-registered apprenticeship programs with structured training and mentorship, we develop a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers in the jewelry trade, because formalized on-ramp pathways attract younger talent and ensure continuity of craft expertise.
- Collective Knowledge and Community Advancementmethodology: collective_strengthBy leveraging a professional community and shared resources, we enable members to sustain the jewelry industry through collective problem-solving, because peer networks enhance resilience, disseminate best practices, and promote equitable advancement.
- Endorsed Partner Network for Operational Supportmethodology: endorsed-partner-networkBy curating a network of vetted business service providers, we improve operational efficiency for member businesses, because trusted, industry-specific partnerships reduce friction and risk in adopting new tools and services.