Office Staff
Beth Saunders
General Manager
Joined the CJG in August 1991
Director of the Canadian Jewellers Association from 2001 to 2005
Director and Past President of Jewellers Vigilance Canada Member of the 24 kt Canadian Jewellers Club since 2007
Kathy Allinson
Office Manager/Accounting Clerk
Joined the CJG in May 2007
Jessica Greaves
Reception/Administrative Clerk
Joined the CJG in October 2009
Kate Kriger
Marketing Co-Ordinator
Joined the CJG in September 2010
Teresa Dickinson
Data Entry Clerk
Joined the CJG in March 2011
Current Directors
Brian VandenDool
President
VandenDool Jewellers has been a St. Catherines landmark since 1976. Proud members of the CJG since 1982, brothers Brian and Mark VandenDool assumed ownership of the store in 1998. Brian was elected to the CJG board in August of 2006. He married Terri in 1988 and they have two sons, Brandon and Michael. Youngest son Michael passed away from cancer in April 2008 at the age of 12. The VandenDool’s now run the foundation he started, Mike’s Miracles, which benefits children on a cancer journey and the families who support them. When he’s not at the store or working with the foundation, Brian can often be found playing hockey, skiing or go-cart racing.
Jennifer Scott
Past President
A Touch of Gold has been in business since 1980 and has been a CJG member since 1988. Jennifer Scott joined the CJG board in August 2006 and was elected the current President in August of 2008. Jennifer brings a wealth of experience to the Canadian Jewellery group, both in retail management and community endeavours. She won the Golden Nugget award in 1990. She is Past President of the Atlantic Provinces Jewellers Association, Past Director of the JVC, Current President of the Downeast Mall Merchants Association and a volunteer on the Kings County Victims of Violence Fundraising Committee. Jennifer was a competitive Curler, and hosts an annual 28-team Bonspiel every February. In 2008 Jennifer became sole owner of A Touch of Gold in Montague PEI.
Rose Taylor
Director
Taylor’s Jewellers in Alliston opened in 1950. In 1995 the family business was purchased by son Kevin Taylor and his wife Rose. Under their leadership, Taylor’s joined the CJG in 1998. Looking to contribute more to her colleagues in the retail jewellery sector, Rose was elected to the CJG board of directors in August 2007. Rose is proud to support her Southern Ontario community. Rose currently sits on The Winter Lights Celebration Committee. Rose is a board member of the Alliston BIA, and she is also a coordinator of the Alliston Potato Festival.
Ernest Epp
Director
Independent Jewellers currently has two retail stores in Winnipeg. Founded in 1937, Ernest Epp became a partner in Independent Jewellers in 1970. Ernest became the sole owner in 1998, the same year Independent Jewellers joined the CJG. Besides his years of experience in the jewellery business Ernest is also a member of the Winnipeg Executive Associates, a long-time season ticket holder for Manitoba Theatre Centre and a dedicated Winnipeg Blue Bomber fan. Ernest was elected to the CJG board of directors in August of 2008.
Ralph Hess
Director
Ralph Hess is the original owner of Hess Jewellers in Sault Ste. Marie. He opened the store in November of 1989 and joined the CJG in July of 1995. This is Ralph’s second term on the board of directors, after a first term of six years as Finance Chair. He is a graduate gemologist from the GIA and a Graduate of the Goldsmith program at George Brown College in Toronto. After college Ralph worked for two years in Mainz Germany under a master goldsmith. When not at work at his store, or fulfilling his duties on the CJG board of directors, Ralph also serves in the Sault Ste. Marie North Rotary Club.
Wayne Fisher
Director
Richardson’s Jewellery opened its doors in the Lloydmall, Lloydminster, AB in 1979. Wayne and Cathy Fisher became partners in 2002 and since 2007 have been sole owners. Richardson’s Jewellery joined CJG in 2002. Wayne has worked in the retail business starting out in his father’s department store when he was 8 years old. From 1982 to 2002 Wayne managed a National Chain Jewellery store. Wayne and Cathy have three grown children (Ken, Matt and Nicole) and Matt has worked along side them for the past two years.
Newly Elected Directors as of August 2010
Lou Alteen – Director
John Halsall – Director
Todd Wright – Director