Stephen Barnes, who has served as president of the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) since August 2023, has officially taken over ownership of the Southport, Conn.-based group.
Barnes succeeds Jeff Roberts, who has owned IJO since 2008 and is the son of IJO founder Bill Roberts. A veteran in the jewelry industry with over 35 years of experience, Barnes has worked in family-run retail, consulting for the Edge Retail Academy, and guiding independent jewelers in an evolving market.
A Vision for IJO’s Future
Under his leadership, Barnes plans to modernize IJO’s offerings, focusing on:
✅ Enhanced educational programs for jewelers
✅ Cutting-edge technology tools for business growth
✅ Innovative marketing resources for members
✅ Strategic partnerships to strengthen the IJO community
Barnes’ deep-rooted connection to IJO spans more than 25 years, and his contributions have helped shape the organization’s ongoing success.
“Stephen has been an integral part of the IJO family for over 25 years and has played a vital role in our organization’s success,” said Jeff Roberts in a statement.
As Barnes steps into this new role, industry insiders will be watching how he evolves IJO to meet the changing landscape of independent jewelry retailing.
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