First nonfamily member to lead James Avery Artisan Jewelry - mySA
-
John McCullough, chief operating officer at James Avery Artisan Jewelry, has been appointed the company’s CEO.
Photo: James Avery Artisan JewelryJohn McCullough, chief operating officer at James Avery Artisan Jewelry, has been appointed the company’s CEO.
John McCullough, chief operating officer at James Avery Artisan Jewelry, has been appointed the company’s CEO.
John McCullough, chief operating officer at James Avery Artisan Jewelry, has been appointed the company’s CEO.
James Avery Artisan Jewelry — a regional jewelry empire started by the late James Avery in 1954 in his mother-in-law’s Kerrville garage — will be led by a nonfamily member for the first time in its 65-year history.
Chris Avery, who took over from father James Avery in 2007, is retiring as CEO but remaining chairman of the board. Chief Operating Officer John McCullough will take the helm.
“I have never been so confident in the future of this company,” Chris Avery said in a statement. “I have the utmost confidence and trust in John’s leadership skills and the way he cares for people.”
The family-owned business, known for its charms, rings and other sterling silver and gold pieces, will remain privately held and is not exploring a public stock offering or a sale.
That’s an advantage for the expansion of the business, McCullough said — the company doesn’t have to meet excessive growth demands and is not beholden to investors, factors that have played into the struggles of other retailers.
The new CEO said he plans to “stay the course,” adding roughly six to eight new stores per year and looking for other ways to expand, such as test-marketing leather handbags in select stores.
The company is making several other executive changes: Chief Financial Officer Paul Zipp will take on the responsibilities of president and chief operating officer, and Karina Dolgin will become chief product and revenue officer.
Family members aside from Chris Avery will remain involved with the business: Lindsey Avery Tognietti, James Avery’s granddaughter and Chris Avery’s niece, is the company’s manager of strategic initiatives.
James Avery, whose 91 eponymous stores are spread across five states, died April 30, 2018, at 96. He hired his first employee in 1957, opened his first retail store in 1973 and continued expanding the business from there. Avery ran it for decades before turning it over to his son.
Today, the company employs around 3,500 people and its jewelry is sold in more than 220 Dillard’s stores and two airport shops. The jewelry is made in workshops in Comfort, Fredericksburg, Hondo and Kerrville.
madison.iszler@express-news.net
