Gary R. Grelick, President
Gary is a highly educated,internationally recognized gemologist with degrees from the Gemological Institute of America, Great Britain and Japan to name just a few. He partnered with his father, Robert, and greatly expanded the scope of our operation.
He is credited with numerous magazine articles and scientific papers, as well as two books on the subjects of gems and gemology.
His profession has taken him to every continent in the world in search of gems.
Rumor has it he golfs a bit as well...
Michael Killian, General Manager
A Niagara Falls native, Mike joined the BOMI team in 1998 and has been active in the jewelry industry since 1982. He received his undergraduate degree from Niagara University. Mike holds a certification in diamond grading from the Gemological Institute of America.
In addition to being responsible for the day to day operations at BOMI, Mike is also the primary buyer for the business.
Michael serves on the Board of Directors for the New York State Jewelers Association.
Susannah Florencio, Graduate Gemologist
Susannah always knew she wanted to work in the jewelry industry. In 2000 and 2001 she attended G.I.A. for Jewelry Manufacturing doing basic repair and setting. She soon realized that she did not want to be at the bench, but rather with people, and that her real talents were more on the buying and selling end. She took the Graduate Gemology program at G.I.A. and received her diploma in 2002.
Susannah joined BOMI in 2003 doing sales, gemology work and jewelry design. In 2007 she became a buyer for BOMI, and in 2010 she was promoted to Sales Manager.
Bob Couch
Bob Couch is a well known veteran in the jewelry business. After graduating from high school in his home town of Pittsburgh, PA he attended York College of Pennsylvania graduating in 1981.
That same year, Bob began his jewelry career navigating positions in national and local chain jewelry operations, He completed his Diamond Essentials program, offered by the Gemological Institute of America in 1988.
In 2001, Bob started out the New Year right on the 2nd of January, starting his first day of many at BOMI.
Susan Huard
Sue started working in the jewelry industry as a teenager in her family's jewelry store, Carl's Jewelers in Niagara Falls. During this time and under the tutelage of her father, she learned not only about the jewelry business, but the importance of hard work, patience and sensitivity for her customers.
She received her Diamond Essential certificate from G.I.A. in 1994.
Sue has a huge fan base in our customers, and it has been our privilege to have her with BOMI since 1999.
The cases at BOMI reflect Sue's design prowess, and she enjoys using her artistic talent and design skills to help her client's create very special custom-made jewelry.
Dawn Marie Schaefer, MBA, G.G.
Dawn received her Masters of Business Administration from Canisius College in 2004 and her Graduate Gemology Degree from GIA, New York City in 2007.
She is proud to have worked for Ralph Lauren, couture sales and merchandising, in Boca Raton, Florida and, in New York City, for Fortunoff: The Source as well as the International Diamond Exchange (IDEX Online). Now, Dawn is glad to be back in the Buffalo area and very pleased to be a member of the BOMI staff.
Heather Brand
Heather is a recent graduate from the
Edward Hermann, Jeweler
Ed has worked as goldsmith since 1984. He learned the craft from none other than his brother-in-law John Lupke (our other goldsmith). Ed has served the trade in several local shops in the area and has honed his skills to a fine edge.
He joined our team in 2002 as a bench jeweler and professional jokester.
Also an experienced auto mechanic, Ed enjoys cars and motorcycles in his free time.
John Lupke, Master Goldsmith
At age fifteen, John went to work for his father who, along with a partner, owned L&B Jewelers. He sharpened tools and was told to “file this piece of metal round”. His work was checked with a gauge, and if it wasn’t perfect he had to start over.
This was an important part of his development and gave him an uncanny sense of form and size. During this time, he was schooled in traditional hand fabrication and repair of fine jewelry. The shop serviced many local jewelry operations and was known far and wide for its high quality repairs and special orders.
An army veteran who served his country from 1968 through 1970, he then returned to Buffalo to resume his career as a full time jeweler and model maker.
Considered by many to be one of the best craftsmen in Western New York, he has been an asset to BOMI since 1998.
