Frederick Goldman International Unveils Strategic Leadership Promotions to Drive Innovation and Growth
Secaucus, N.J. — In a significant move designed to fortify its position as a leader in the jewelry manufacturing sector, Frederick Goldman International (FGI) has announced the promotion of three key executives. This strategic realignment aims to unify the company’s operations, product development, and customer service divisions, ensuring a more agile and responsive approach to the evolving demands of the global jewelry market.
As the industry faces new challenges and opportunities in 2026, FGI’s leadership restructuring signals a renewed commitment to operational excellence and an enhanced customer experience. By placing seasoned experts in pivotal roles, the company is poised to accelerate its speed to market while deepening its relationships with retail partners across North America.
A Strategic Vision for the Future of Jewelry Manufacturing
For over 75 years, Frederick Goldman International has been synonymous with quality, craftsmanship, and innovation. Founded in 1948 as a one-man operation specializing in wedding rings, the company has grown into one of the largest privately-held jewelry manufacturers in North America. Today, FGI is taking bold steps to ensure its legacy continues to thrive in a digital-first, fast-paced retail environment.
The recent promotions of Bryan Cowan, Thomas Schwartz, and Liliana Estrella are not merely title changes; they represent a holistic strategy to break down silos between departments. By integrating marketing, sales, operations, and product development, FGI is creating a seamless ecosystem that supports its extensive portfolio of brands, including ArtCarved, Triton, and Love Earth.
Aligning Operations with Market Demands
John Orrico, who was named President of Frederick Goldman International in September 2025, emphasized that these changes are critical for the company’s next phase of growth.
“These updates are designed to strengthen the way we serve our customers and execute across the organization,” Orrico stated. “As the market continues to evolve, our focus is clear: to be the most reliable, responsive, and forward-thinking partner in the industry. This structure supports faster execution, closer alignment, and a stronger customer experience.”
Bryan Cowan: Spearheading Operations and Product Excellence
One of the most significant changes involves Bryan Cowan, who has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations, Product Development, and Sourcing.
Cowan, who joined the Secaucus-based company in 2023, previously served as Senior Vice President of Customer Service and Business Development for independent and retail jewelers. His elevation to this broader operational role highlights the company’s focus on bridging the gap between what customers want and how products are made.
streamlining the Supply Chain
In his new capacity, Cowan is tasked with a critical mission: boosting coordination across three traditionally separate departments—manufacturing operations, product development, and sourcing.
- Speed to Market: By overseeing the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept to material sourcing and final manufacturing, Cowan will be able to remove bottlenecks that often slow down production.
- Innovation: Integrated leadership means that feedback from the market can be instantly fed into the product development process, allowing FGI to launch on-trend designs faster than competitors.
- Efficiency: Unified oversight of sourcing and operations is expected to improve cost-efficiency and reliability, key factors for retailers who depend on FGI for timely inventory replenishment.
The company noted that this alignment will “speed up end-to-end decision making,” a vital capability as consumer trends in the bridal and fashion jewelry sectors shift more rapidly than ever before.
Thomas Schwartz: Elevating the Customer Experience
Running parallel to the operational improvements is a renewed focus on the customer journey. Thomas Schwartz, who joined FGI in 2023 as Vice President of Marketing, has been named Senior Vice President of Growth and Customer Experience.
This expanded role reflects a modern approach to B2B relationships, where marketing and customer service are seen as two sides of the same coin. Schwartz will now oversee a vast portfolio of responsibilities that directly impact how retailers interact with the company.
A Unified Approach to Growth
Schwartz’s new mandate includes overseeing FGI’s customer experience teams in both the United States and Mexico, as well as managing the company’s independent sales channel. Crucially, he will continue to lead the company’s marketing efforts.
Bringing these functions under one roof offers several strategic advantages:
- Consistent Messaging: Marketing campaigns will be perfectly synchronized with the sales pitch and the service experience, ensuring retailers receive a consistent brand message at every touchpoint.
- Seamless Support: By managing customer experience teams alongside sales channels, Schwartz can ensure that promises made during the sales process are delivered upon by the support teams.
- Data-Driven Growth: With oversight of both marketing and customer feedback loops, FGI can better understand retailer pain points and adjust their growth strategies accordingly.
The company stated that this structure is intended to create a “more seamless experience for retail partners,” ultimately supporting stronger sell-through rates and long-term partnership value.
Liliana Estrella: Crafting the Brand Narrative
Rounding out the leadership updates is the promotion of Liliana Estrella to Director of Marketing.
Estrella has been a key player in the company’s marketing division since 2022, serving as the Trade Marketing Manager. Her promotion is a testament to the importance of storytelling and brand development in today’s jewelry market.
Strengthening Trade Relationships
As Director of Marketing, Estrella will take charge of FGI’s trade support and market-facing storytelling. Her role is pivotal in maintaining the prestige and visibility of FGI’s diverse brand portfolio.
- Brand Development: She will oversee the strategic positioning of major brands like ArtCarved, a heritage brand known for its rich history since 1850, and Triton, the leader in men’s contemporary metal jewelry.
- Market-Facing Storytelling: In an era where consumers care deeply about the origins and meaning of their jewelry, Estrella’s team will focus on communicating the unique value propositions of FGI’s products, such as the sustainability focus of the Love Earth lab-grown diamond collection.
- Retailer Support: A key part of her role will be ensuring that retail partners have the marketing collateral and trade support they need to successfully sell FGI products in their stores.
The Broader Context: A Legacy of Adaptation
These leadership changes come on the heels of a significant transition at the very top of the organization. Last September, John Orrico was promoted from Chief Operating Officer to Company President. Orrico’s ascent and his subsequent restructuring of the executive team demonstrate a deliberate shift towards operational agility.
Why Integration Matters in 2026
The jewelry industry is currently navigating a complex landscape defined by fluctuating metal prices, the rise of lab-grown diamonds, and the digital transformation of retail. For a manufacturer like Frederick Goldman International, the ability to adapt quickly is paramount.
By consolidating leadership roles around key pillars—Operations/Product (Cowan) and Growth/Experience (Schwartz)—FGI is reducing bureaucratic friction. This “silo-busting” approach allows information to flow freely from the factory floor to the marketing department and finally to the retail partner.
For example, if the customer experience team (under Schwartz) identifies a rising demand for a specific style of men’s wedding band, that insight can be immediately relayed to product development and sourcing (under Cowan) to expedite production. This closed-loop system creates a competitive advantage that is difficult for slower, more fragmented organizations to replicate.
Conclusion: Poised for the Next Era
Frederick Goldman International’s announcement is more than just a personnel update; it is a declaration of intent. By empowering Bryan Cowan, Thomas Schwartz, and Liliana Estrella, FGI is investing in a future where speed, reliability, and service are the defining characteristics of their business.
Retailers partnering with FGI can expect a more responsive relationship, with faster product turnarounds and more cohesive marketing support. As the company approaches its eighth decade of operation, these moves ensure that the pioneering spirit of Frederick Goldman—who was the first to install toll-free 800 lines in the industry—lives on in a modern, digitally-integrated leadership team.
With a solidified executive bench and a clear strategic vision, Frederick Goldman International is well-positioned to continue celebrating life’s special moments for generations to come.
