AUSTIN, Texas, August 11 - Commemorative Brands, Inc., one of the nation's largest manufacturers and sellers of class rings for high school and college students, announced today the appointment of David G. Fiore as president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.
Since 1992, Fiore, 52, has been president and CEO of Reliant Building Products, Inc., of Dallas, the largest U.S. manufacturer of vinyl and aluminum windows, doors and related products. Reliant had sales last year of $330 million. Among Reliant customers are such major retail outlets as Walmart and K-Mart.
Fiore succeeds Robert Amter, who has been serving as interim president and CEO at Commemorative Brands since February.
In a statement, Commemorative Brands' board of directors said, "Mr. Fiore has been successful at increasing sales volume and profitability throughout his distinguished career, and we look forward to continued improvements at Commemorative Brands under his guidance.
"In David Fiore, we have an experienced leader to take the company into the new school season and the new millennium."
Commemorative Brands, based in Austin, is known for its ArtCarved and Bal-four class rings. It also makes fine paper products for the scholastic market, such as diplomas, graduation announcements, certificates and stationery, as well as championship rings, consumer sports jewelry and family jewelry for special occasions. Expected sales this year are approximately $155 million.
The company was formed in December 1996 by the combination of the Art-Carved Division of CJC Holdings, Inc., of Austin and the L.G. Balfour subsidiary of Town & Country Corporation of Boston. It has 1,200 employees and manufacturing facilities in Austin and in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
During his seven years with Reliant, Fiore was able to increase sales threefold and improved profitability by 250 percent, apart from the acquisition and integration of four companies. He also expanded its marketing activities from regional to national coverage.
Prior to joining Reliant, Fiore was president and CEO of CalTex Industries, Inc., a $130 million San Diego holding company comprising three regional window manufacturing enterprises.
Other companies in which Fiore held a variety of management positions included General Aluminum Corp., Atlas Powder Company and The Gunlocke Company.
Fiore, a native of Rochester, New York, holds a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and an MBA from Syracuse University.