OUR TEAM
OUR TEAM
Michael Rumanoff
CEO, CFO
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Michael Rumanoff
CEO, CFO
Michael is the co-founder of our retail business, Rumanoff’s Fine Jewelry, as we know it today. Michael is a third generation owner, with 45 years of experience in the industry, joining the business in 1975 and taking it over alongside his brother, Steven, in 1994. Michael has run the jewelry store since its infancy, and is here today on a daily basis to oversee all business decisions and to help with customers. Interacting with our customers and maintaining and developing relationships is what he enjoys most. He is passionate about family, loves his four grandchildren dearly, and is fulfilled by playing a role in our customers’ lives as well as within our community.
Steve Rumanoff
Vice President | Outside Sales
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Steve Rumanoff
Vice President | Outside Sales
Having come into our family business in 1989, Steve is the co-founder of our retail business, Rumanoff’s Fine Jewelry. Through relationships established prior to our evolution from a wholesale distributorship to a retail jewelry store, Steve has remained responsible for all outside sales. He has been working as a representative and territory manager for top jewelry manufacturers for greater than 25 years, while maintaining a vested interest, guidance, and assistance within our store. His friendly, outgoing and caring nature is infectious, which is why so many people come to see him and call him a friend.
Douglas Rumanoff
COO
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Douglas Rumanoff
COO
Doug is a fourth-generation partner of Rumanoff’s Fine Jewelry. He entered the family business after receiving his degree from the University of Connecticut (Go Huskies!) in 2003. Although Doug was never pressured by his father, Mike, or his uncle, Steve, to join them, they welcomed him with open arms into the growing business. Seeing potential in what they had created, Doug brought with him a resiliency and ambition while possessing a strong desire to carry on his grandfather’s legacy. Doug was first responsible for the implementation of software and computerization of the business, and for developing Rumanoff’s Fine Jewelry’s website, and did so while earning accreditations from the Gemological Institute of America. Doug currently oversees all of Rumanoff’s operations and marketing efforts, is involved in all business decisions, and thoroughly enjoys helping our valued customers. Doug takes great pride in exceeding our customers’ expectations while providing them with a memorable experience, with the principal goal of ensuring their happiness. Doug is genuinely honored to be a part of our customers’ special life moments.
Leslie DeStefano
Vice President
Director of Customer Relations
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Leslie DeStefano
Vice President | Director of Customer Relations
Leslie is a fourth-generation Rumanoff and partner of Rumanoff’s Fine Jewelry. She has had a passion for jewelry since she was a little girl, playing dress up and enjoying her visits to see her dad, uncle and grandfather at work while she eyed the jewels in the showroom. It was only natural that she worked in the jewelry store since 2001 through high school and during the summers while in college. Leslie joined the business full time in 2009 after receiving her degree from Roger Williams University to help continue her family’s legacy. She brings with her a fresh perspective and is responsible for stimulating and developing Rumanoff’s social media, while assisting in all business decisions. Leslie flourishes when helping customers by offering her genuine opinion and expertise, all while exuding her love for jewelry as she provides an unparalleled experience (just look at our reviews!). Leslie truly loves what she does, and says on a regular basis, “I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.”
Jonathan Bennett
Manager
GIA Diamonds Graduate
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Jonathan Bennett
Manager | GIA Diamonds Graduate
Jonathan first stepped foot into the jewelry industry in 2008, and immediately absorbed an abundance of knowledge. Jonathan worked to earn qualifications as an accredited jewelry professional, a colored stones specialist, and a GIA diamonds graduate. Though his thirst for expertise is vast, it is his ability to communicate and educate through experience that sets him apart in regard to customer excellence. From a product standpoint, Jonathan is fascinated by diamonds -- from the science to the human story and longevity, he fanatically appreciates how diamonds can carry a family story for generations, with such an intrinsically emotional and personal connection to the gem. Jonathan leads our appraisal department and is more than willing to do anything from changing watch batteries to helping to select the perfect gift, but what drives him most is being a part of people's special moments, engagements in particular, because, as Jonathan puts it, they are such an exciting time for the couple as they create a moment that they will always remember.
Jennifer Paterson-Suttile
Manager
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Jennifer Paterson-Suttile
Manager
Jennifer’s love for jewelry was evident at an early age, when she proudly shrouded her wall with pictures of rings. She entered the jewelry industry in 1987, becoming immersed in the jewelry world as she gained experience working for notable stores over the next 26 years. We were thrilled when she brought her expansive knowledge of jewelry and timepieces to Rumanoff’s in 2013. Jen is in charge of the Rumanoff’s watch repair service as well as the Pandora department, and specializes in customizing and repurposing our customer’s old jewelry into new treasures. We are fortunate to have someone with her level of expertise, but more than that, her easy-going nature is appreciated by everyone who meets her. Whether Jen is helping with an engagement ring or a Pandora charm, she truly cares about each and every interaction and being a part of our customers’ most special moments.
Jenny Dimmock
Customer Excellence
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Jenny Dimmock
Customer Excellence
True story, Jenny first became part of our Rumanoff’s team as the bartender of all our events. Not only could she pour a good drink, but she had a zest for helping out in any way she could, which did not go unnoticed. The stars aligned and she is now a full-time team member who loves jewelry, meeting people, and helping them find the perfect gift, whether it’s for a loved one or for themselves.
Carlene Burgess
Master Jeweler
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Carlene Burgess
Master Jeweler
Carlene has been fascinated with jewelry since she can remember, and always knew that she wanted to make jewelry as her career. She entered the male dominated bench jeweler world in 1975, knowing she would have to truly prove herself to succeed. That is exactly what she has done over the past 45 years. We were fortunate enough to have Carlene join our Rumanoff’s family in 2014, bringing with her an impressive portfolio of custom jewelry creations, experience in all aspects of jewelry and gemstone repair and setting, and qualifications earned from the Gemological Institute of America, in addition to the experience of already having worked in other retail environments. She has enhanced our in-store jewelry design and repair center with her proficiency, and is here to help with any repair, setting, or custom work you may need.
Coleen Bankowski
Customer Excellence
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Coleen Bankowski
Customer Excellence
Coleen has been a devoted team member of Rumanoff’s Fine Jewelry since 2006. She continues to be a part of the progression of our business, and truly cares about each and every interaction she has. She is fulfilled by what she does, because, in her words, she can make someone’s day special by helping them pick out the perfect gift for any occasion.
Lauren Vendetto
Customer Excellence
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Lauren Vendetto
Customer Excellence
Lauren has been part of our team since 2007. She is one of our main merchandisers and is here to assist our customers with finding the perfect gift, whether it’s for a loved one or for themselves. People often come in asking for her due to her easy-going, helpful nature. Like everyone here at Rumanoff’s, Lauren genuinely cares about our customers and gets gratification from playing a part in their happiness.
Felicia Rumanoff
Engraving Specialist
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Felicia Rumanoff
Engraving Specialist
Felicia, married to Michael, and Mom to Douglas and Leslie, enjoyed a 42-year career as a dental hygienist, but always possessed a passion for the arts with a knack for fine detail. It was during the latter half of this career when Felicia and Michael attended a jewelry conference, where Michael suggested she look for ideas for an upcoming anniversary gift. When Felicia told him she found something she really liked, he was surprised when he discovered it was an engraving machine. The rest is history. Felicia has headed our engraving department since 2002 and is remarkable at engraving on a variety of metals, glass, wood, leather and other materials. People have come to trust and rely on Felicia’s expertise when it comes to placement, font choices, and her recommendations. Although Felicia thoroughly enjoys the process of engraving, it is the everlasting sentimentality of the end result that she appreciates and treasures most.
Kim Knight
Customer Excellence
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Kim Knight
Customer Excellence
Kim joined the Rumanoff’s team in 2013. In her words, when the opportunity came to work at her favorite jewelry store, she jumped at the chance, and she has been helping our customers ever since. Kim is calm and collected which fits right into our relaxed atmosphere. She does a variety of things at Rumanoff’s, but helping our customers find the perfect piece of jewelry is what she enjoys the most.
