Pictured (from left): John Kennedy, President of JSA; Paul Jones, eBay Inc.; Jack Christin, eBay Inc.; and Bob Frank, VP of JSA

Earlier this month, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) awarded its seventh annual “Industry Service Award” to Paul Jones, the senior director of global asset protection at eBay. JSA is a trade association of jewelry manufacturers and retailers and a key partner in the fight to keep eBay’s platforms free of stolen goods. Each year, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance presents its Industry Service Award to someone not in law enforcement who has made a significant impact on the security of the jewelry industry.

From LP Magazine: In his nearly three years at eBay, Paul and his expert team have improved the integrity of the online marketplace through closer cooperation with law enforcement and major retailers. Through the PROACT program, eBay has increasingly assisted law enforcement personnel with investigations involving jewelry that have resulted in significant arrests, and has partnered with the JSA in a multi-pronged effort to combat organized jewelry crime through mutual training and assistance. This huge marketplace has great significance for the jewelry industry since eBay sellers list several million items of fine jewelry, watches, loose diamonds, and gems on the site. Because of his leadership role in working tirelessly to reduce crime and fraud in eBay’s online marketplace, JSA presented the Seventh Annual JSA Industry Service Award to Paul Jones.

Jones was cited for improving the integrity of the eBay marketplace, especially through closer cooperation with law enforcement and with major retailers. Jones has helped build the PROACT program, which brings together stakeholders in a common effort to reduce fraud, fencing and other crimes and abuses involving the eBay marketplace. He was quick to acknowledge that he accepted the award on behalf of the entire PROACT team – Stoney Burke, Lauren Cunningham, Dave DiSilva, Matt Flinders and Hawken Averett – and their tireless work.

Read more about the award at Diamonds.net and National Jeweler.

Congrats!
RBH

eBay is one of two companies (the other being Skunk Works, a division of Lockheed Martin) receiving the nation’s highest honor for technological and scientific achievement. US Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez joined President George W. Bush last week to announce the 2007 laureates for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

In a statement made by the US Department of Commerce, eBay received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for pioneering the technology that encouraged and supported online trade, enabling global entrepreneurship and the growth of the Internet worldwide.

“America leads the world in technological innovation because of men, women and cutting-edge coporations like those we honor this year,” Gutierrez said. “Their contributions to our society have impacted all of our lives and they serve as both an inspiration and as role models for future generations of American innovators.”

President Bush will be presenting the medal to the recipients, eBay included, at the White House on September 29, 2008.

About The National Medal of Technology and Innovation
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation was created by Congress in 1980 and has been presented by the President of the United States since 1985. A distinguished, independent committee appointed by the Secretary of Commerce evaluates the merits of all candidates nominated through an open, competitive solicitation process. Committee recommendations are forwarded to the Secretary who makes recommendations to the President for a final decision.

The Medal program is administered by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. For more information: http://www.uspto.gov/nmti/

I plan on providing additional coverage following the White House event at the end of this month.

Cheers,
RBH