MEET OUR STAFF

EXECUTIVE Team

Matthew A. Runci

President and CEO

Since joining Jewelers of America in 1995, Matthew A. Runci’s primary mission has been to enhance members’ business reputations and preserve consumers’ confidence in the purchase of jewelry. Under Runci’s leadership, Jewelers of America has developed comprehensive professional skills standards and certification for retail jewelry sales associates, managers and bench jewelers. In addition, he has guided an active national government affairs program on behalf of the interests of the professional jewelry industry.

In the area of public and industry affairs, Runci has also directed the development of a variety of responsible business practice initiatives. To prevent the trade in conflict diamonds, he was centrally involved in the establishment of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, the Clean Diamond Trade Act and the World Diamond Council’s System of Warranties. Runci serves as Chairman of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), which has created a Responsible Jewellery System for independent, third-party auditing of the ethical, social and environmental practices of companies at every level of the diamond and gold jewelry supply chain.

Runci has been an active member of the jewelry industry for the past 30 years. Prior to his arrival at Jewelers of America, he served as president and CEO of the Manufacturing Jewelers and Silversmiths of America. During his earlier career, Runci taught international relations at the university level. He holds a PhD from the University of Virginia and a BA from Boston College, as well membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1970.

Robert Headley

Chief Operating Officer

rheadley@jewelers.org

Robert B. Headley, chief operating officer, Jewelers of America, a position he assumed in February 2009, with the directive to integrate the association’s strategic plan with ongoing operations. As COO, Headley serves as Jewelers of America’s internal leader, reporting to president and CEO Matthew A.Runci. With Runci, he is responsible for developing Jewelers of America’s overall vision. Headley currently serves on the Standards Committee of the Responsible Jewellery Council.  Previously, Headley worked for 20 years at Tiffany & Co., where he oversaw the brand’s stringent quality control standards. There, he served as Vice President of Technical Services and directed quality assurance and manufacturing administration. Prior to joining Tiffany & Co., Headley was a naval officer, then spent eight years at Avon Products, supervising efficient systems for ingredient manufacturing, packaging, and corporate quality assurance.