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Our staff is small, but it's mighty! From our sales associates in the gallery to our goldsmiths at their benches to our "behind the scenes" office personnel, six people have a combined total of over 70 years with Micky... not including Micky! If you add Micky into the equation, you have a group of seven people with over 100 years of experience. That's pretty impressive! Here are the extraordinary people who provide the knowledge, skills and craftsmanship that make The Jewelbox so popular.
Appearing in alphabetical order:
Linda Bonacci - Office Manager
Originally from western Kentucky, Linda has lived in the Ithaca area since 1977 and has, in her private accounting and business management practice, served local clients for some twenty years. She joined Micky Roof in 1990, and cites her main areas of expertise as "accounting, organization, and 'people relations'. "Linda became professionally involved with the jewelry industry by accident, she says, having begun part-time as Micky's business manager. What does she like most about being here? "The staff...and always changing and growing." In her spare time she enjoys cooking, gardening, and bird watching. "The future appears to be challenging and entertaining," she adds. "Retire? No way!".
Linda factoid: as a child, she learned the alphabet backwards before learning its standard configuration.
 Sarah Schantz - Sales AssociateIf you've seen Micky Roof mentioned on Pricescope or other Internet jewelry forums, you may have noticed references to "a wonderful, helpful woman named Sarah." Sarah's diligence and dedication are a bonus for us... and for you! She joined Micky in 2002, intrigued by the prospect of learning the art and craft of jewelry by working for an artist (and among highly skilled goldsmiths)...and her extensive on-the-job education has prepared her to answer practically any question. Sarah enjoys "being part of a team, all working together to serve our customers. I love following a job in its myriad details, to its perfect conclusion - a piece that the customer will love and appreciate for years to come." Sarah's passions include gardening, as well as herbal medicine and flower essences.
Sarah factoid: She raised dairy goats for nearly twenty years.
 Bounnam Sisana - Master Goldsmith
A native of Laos, Bounnam came to this country with his wife in 1986. He'd had an interesting job history in his homeland - rice farmer, furniture factory supervisor, and silkworm station worker (yes, he cared for silkworms ... and harvested silk). His jewelry training began in the States, when shortly after his arrival his brother's church sponsor located an apprenticeship position for him. He has been with Micky Roof since 1991! Bounnam's mastery of bench techniques (casting, cold forging, wax carving, laser welding, fold forming and more) has emerged during the past eighteen years, and the quality of his work is breathtaking...as he brings Micky's fresh designs to life as beautiful, wearable jewelry creations. The best part of the job? For Bounnam, it's the variety-the fact that there's always a new and different project to tackle. Bounnam greatly enjoys playing with his grandchildren, and he is an avid freshwater fisherman.
 Lena Skoromnik - Master Goldsmith
Lena came to the United States in 1994 from Belarus (where she had worked as a chainmaker in a jewelry factory), and apprenticed locally prior to joining Micky in 1999. A superbly accomplished bench jeweler and stone setter, Lena is also our in-house freehand engraver, an expert wax carver, and a specialist in antique ring restoration. Many of Micky's designs come to life in her talented hands.
Lena says she has learned a great many techniques, and continues to refine her skills, here at the Jewelbox...and adds that she values the support and respect she receives from employer and staff. ("I really love my job...and always do my best to make people happy and smile!") She likes "...learning anything new, and trying to do what I can do (or can't do!) in my profession." Lena factoid: enjoys cooking and reading, too... but says that really, jewelry is her number one hobby.
 Steve Wetzel - Sales Associate
Steve has been part of the team at Micky Roof since 2002, and indeed brings a special blend of expertise, warmth, and humor to The Jewelbox. He has great enthusiasm for helping customers find precisely what they're looking for - whether it's a gift from our gallery, a stock item from a vendor, or a creative idea for a new design. His professionalism and the wonderful rapport he has developed with customers is a likely result from his nearly thirty years in the fine dining industry (largely as a mâitre d') - he is committed to providing the finest customer service... and it shows. People often stop into the store "just to say hello to Steve". Steve has no factoids.
Stephanie Winston Vann - Director of Marketing and New Media
When you see a blurb, a post or a tweet, it was probably born from Stephanie's laptop. She writes our ads, our newsletter, our blog, and maintains our new web site. She's amazing!
Born and raised in New York City, Stephanie grew up "surrounded by beautiful jewelry on beautiful people" as she really did have an uncle - someone named Harry - in the jewelry business. She is a self-described "Podunk Princess", preferring the serenity of the Finger Lakes over the chaos of midtown (although she does miss having "24 hour access to almost anything on the planet"). She joined Micky Roof and the Jewelbox in 2006, and she is thrilled to be surrounded by beautiful jewelry on beautiful people again! Stephanie lives in Trumansburg, NY with her husband Chris, dogs Dodger and Oliver, and birds Tommy and Aja Remastered. Stephanie factoid: she is a big NASCAR fan!
Kathleen Marie - When not in her kitchen baking delectable treats worthy of their own web site, Kathleen "Cupcake" Marie is an indispensible part of the team here at The Jewelbox. Her fearless sense of style and uncanny eye for fashion is a benefit to all of us, as she excels at picking just the right piece of jewelry for any occasion. She's kinda like a consultant. And we love her for it!
Kathleen factoid: it was very painful for her to even give us this much information. ;)
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