OUR TEAM
OUR TEAM
Michael Rumanoff
Founder
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Michael Rumanoff
Founder
Michael is the co-founder of our retail business, Rumanoff’s Jewelers, as we know it today. Michael is a third generation owner, with over 45 years of experience in the industry, joining the business in 1975 and taking it over alongside his brother, Steven, in 1994. Today, Michael guides in business decisions, yet 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 while working side by side with Doug and Leslie as they carry on the family legacy.
Douglas Rumanoff
Chief Executive Officer
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Douglas Rumanoff
Chief Executive Officer
Doug is a fourth-generation partner of Rumanoff’s Jewelers. He entered the family business after receiving his degree from the University of Connecticut in 2003, and brought with him resiliency and ambition while possessing a strong desire to carry on his grandfather’s legacy and grow the family business. Doug attained the role of CEO as of January 2023, and is responsible for developing and executing Rumanoff's business strategy, is involved in all business decisions, and thoroughly enjoys helping our valued customers. Doug has shown a keen ability to adapt and evolve, and looks forward to the future growth of the business while playing a role in the community through participation and philanthropic efforts. Doug takes great pride in continuing the Rumanoff's culture of exceeding our customers’ expectations, with the principal goal of ensuring their happiness.
Leslie DeStefano
Chief Sales Officer
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Leslie DeStefano
Chief Sales Officer
Leslie is a fourth-generation Rumanoff and partner of Rumanoff’s Jewelers. She has possessed a passion for jewelry from a very young age, 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, learning the family business. Leslie joined Rumanoff's Jewelers full time in 2009 after receiving her degree from Roger Williams University to help continue her family’s legacy. She brought with her a fresh perspective and was immediately responsible for stimulating and advancing Rumanoff’s social media. Today, Leslie assists in business decisions while leading and developing our sales team. 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. 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
Senior Associate | Customer Excellence
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Jennifer Paterson-Suttile
Senior Associate | Customer Excellence
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.
Kara Franke
Customer Excellence
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Kara Franke
Customer Excellence
Kara joined Rumanoff's Jewelers in 2021, having worked her way to a managerial position in her last endeavor, and bringing with her over twenty years of customer service experience in retail. Kara possesses a lighthearted, caring essence and excels in listening to our customers' needs. She is an integral part of our team, as her genuine nature, sense of humor, and character shine through.
Stevie DeToro
Customer Excellence
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Stevie DeToro
Customer Excellence
Stevie joined the Rumanoff's team in 2022, after graduating from the New York Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in fashion merchandising. She brought with her over five years of client relations and customer service both as a makeup artist and luxury sales associate. Her interpersonal skills and love for fashion have proven to be an asset here at Rumanoff's, as she loves interacting with customers and can relate to anyone who walks through our doors.
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.
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.
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.
