Ashley Comer
Ashley Comer was born in Watertown, NY on January 5, 1987 into a military family. Shortly after her second birthday she and her family moved back to their hometown of LaFollette, TN to reside in a permanent residence. Growing up with a very supportive mother who was always teaching her about how to properly manage a business, Ashley decided to follow in her footsteps and pursue Business Administration after graduating from Campbell County High School in 2005. She attended several Administrative training programs and then decided to move to Knoxville to pursue further opportunities. Ashley came to work for Rick Terry Jewelry Design’s in January 2010 putting her administrative skills to work, as well as beginning a new career in the jewelry industry. She brings a youthful perspective to the workplace and is currently being trained in the art of engraving, as well as many other aspects of the jewelry business.
Ashley is looking forward to advancing her career in the jewelry industry. When asked what she loves most about her new career, Ashley said, “I love the fact that there is always something new, a new trend, style or idea. There is so much to learn in this ever changing industry and I am fortunate to have such supportive people around me. Having co-workers who are always eager to teach me new things and who are open to a different sometimes edgier point of view is such a blessing. I am equally as lucky outside of work with a fiancé who is always encouraging me to further my career. “She loves the family setting. “ I love the fact that I look forward to seeing everyone each morning, even the puppies! Being able to bring our furry friends to work is such a privilege, who wouldn’t love that?”
Ernest Turner
Ernest Turner was born in Knoxville, TN on May 20, 1956. He graduated from Gibbs High School in 1974 and got his start in the jewelry business shortly after graduation. He is a second generation jeweler, following in his father’s footsteps. Ernest’s father, Frank, was a jeweler in Knoxville for 30 years. Jewelry has been Ernest’s only profession. Ernest graduated from many specialty schools within the field, including Gemological Institute of America in Diamond Grading and Evalution (1983) and Horological Institute of America in Quartz Watch Repair (2002), as well as attending laser welding classes in 2008. Before coming to work for Rick Terry Jewelry Designs in 2005, Ernest owned a jewelry store of his own as well as trade shop for the jewelry stores in the area.
Ernest now lives in Seymour, TN with his loving wife, Margaret, and daughter, Mandy. When he is not creating and repairing jewelry, Ernest enjoys motorcycle riding and cooking for his wonderful family. When asked why he enjoys his job, Ernest said, “Rick Terry Jewelry Designs provides a supportive environment of close-knit coworkers, friends, and family that promote creativity and hard work. Jewelry is my passion and it is all I have ever known, but it is truly the people I work with that make this job so enjoyable.”
Romina Baker
Romina Baker is a native of Manila, Philippines. After she and her mother came to America, Romina’s mother married and Romina was adopted by her new stepfather, also gaining a stepbrother through the marriage. Although she did not legally have to study for citizenship, Romina’s mother and father thought it was important for her to learn the information anyway. With persistence and diligence, Romina and her mother studied together, and Romina ended up being more knowledgeable about U.S. history than most students in her fourth grade class. Education continued to be one of Romina’s strong suits throughout school, and she graduated Summa Cum Laude from East Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Arts. Romina is also a wife to a very patient & loving husband. She says that she tends to have the abstract thoughts and aspirations of an artist, but no matter how crazy the idea, she has his support… or he talks some sense into the matter.
Romina has been a successful artist in the jewelry industry for 13 years. Her works have been exhibited in several galleries for prize winning designs, such as Slocomb in Johnson City, TN, Steuben in New York, NY, Todd in Nashville, TN, and New Morning in Asheville, NC. When asked why she looks forward to coming to work every day, Romina said, “I get to help individuals create the design ideas that are trapped in their mind’s eye. No matter if it’s a simple repair or a grand idea, to hand that piece to them and then share in the joy and happiness they experience in that moment is such justification to purpose. What a blessing! I was chosen to have a gift to assist in such a moment.” She says that she also feels lucky to work with a wonderful crew of professionals. “Since we see each other for 40+ hours a week, it is just like extended family, and so we treat each other as such. And my goodness our family even has pets! What more can you ask for at a place of work?”
Rick Morgan
A North Carolina transplant, Rick Morgan currently resides in Maryville, Tennessee with his wife Gail and step-daughter Jill. As of the fall of 2007, he has been part of the Rick Terry team as the manager of the Lenoir City store location.
His interest in the jewelry industry began in 1985 simply as a hobby. Rick pursued his passion further and obtained a certification in Lapidary and Jewelry from Haywood Technical College in North Carolina. From there his hobby quickly turned into a career. Having over twenty-five of experience Rick Morgan has a vast loyal client base. Not only does he serve his clients through a retail environment, Rick also assists in the technical aspects of jewelry service. Having operated his own trade shop in the past and pursued additional Gemological Institute of America training gives Rick a professional advantage that he uses to assist his customers on a daily basis. With this type of customer care, Rick has quickly built a rapport with the Lenoir City customers as well as welcoming his own clientele to the second Rick Terry location.
When asked what he loves most about the jewelry industry, Rick said, “I have a passion for vintage designs; there is so much detail and true craftsmanship that goes into these handmade designs.” Rick’s appreciation for the old as well as the new can be seen as he assists in the merchandise selection for the vintage case and his product knowledge in the latest bridal and fashion jewelry.
Scott Boatner
I started my career in the jewelry industry beginning in the mid 1980`s, when I went to work for Mashbern Malin Jewelers in Lenoir City, Tennessee as a bench jeweler trainee, working the bench and the retail counter while completing my education with The Gemological Institute of America (GIA). After receiving my Graduate Gemologist (GIA) degree in 1988, and receiving training in appraisal and valuation, I started doing appraisals of jewelry to complement the bench and counter work and to provide our clientele with a wider variety of services. In the early 1990`s I left that store to do trade shop work in Knoxville, Tennessee and at the closing of that shop I went to work as a jeweler and appraiser for Bristol, Bragg & Young Fine Jewelers in Alcoa, Tennessee both full and part time throughout the following several years and working as a pick up and deliver jeweler with multiple accounts in the East Tennessee area.
Matt Terry
Matthew Terry, youngest son of Rick Terry, graduated from Catholic High School in Knoxville in 2010. There, he received the Art Student Award three times and is now putting those talents to good use in the store. Matthew was trained in Atlanta to run the CAD/Cam milling machine. This machine allows Matthew to draw a customer’s jewelry design on the computer using a special software. Then, a tool path is made so that the milling machine can cut the image out of a piece of wax. When Matthew is not running the CAD/Cam milling machine, this active twenty year old is either enjoying outdoor sports or attending business classes at Pellissipi State Community College.
Vern Russell
Vern attended Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio before getting into the Jewelry Business. He was hired by Meyer Jewelry in Detroit, MI in 1970 and worked for them for the next ten years in sales and management. He then went to work for Shifrin Jewelers where he became a store manager, supervisor and trainer. He stayed with Shifrin until 1995 when he decided to go to work for Fox Jewelers of Grand Rapids, MI, but decided to move to Tennessee in 2000. Once he moved to Tennessee he worked for Lamon Jewelers in sales until his retirement in 2009. Once retired, he found playing golf was not enough, so he began working part time for Rick Terry’s Jewelry Design and is a happy camper now with his balance of work and play.
Sissy
Sissy is a fourteen year old black and tan daschhund who’s job is to greet customers as they enter the store. She has officially held this position ever since she first came to the store at a mere six weeks old. She loves to do tricks for treats (especially cheese) with her pal Angel, and her favorite visitor is the mailman, because he always brings a little something special for her.
Angel
Angel is a ten year old flashy fawn boxer who made her television premier in one of the commercials for the store. She has been the customers’ favorite ever since she first set paw in the store when she was only six weeks old. At the time, she was meant to be a reward for Matthew’s good grades, but she quickly learned that doing tricks for customers with her best friend Sissy was the best way to get all the love and treats she needed while everyone in the family was busy at work and school!
