(L to R) Jacqueline Thomas, Natalie Ekmekchain and Ruzanna Melik-Stepanyan.

LOS ANGELES—De Rigo Rem has announced the promotion of two existing members of the team as well as the addition of a new public relations director. Jacqueline Thomas joined De Rigo Rem in early June as public relations director, Natalie Ekmekchain has been promoted to brand manager and Ruzanna Melik-Stepanyan has been promoted to senior manager of product. Thomas, who has a master’s degree in communication from Purdue University’s Brian Lamb School of Communication, brings a broad communications background, having worked on reputation guidance, public affairs, crisis management, and event management.

She said, “Public relations is about relationships, and De Rigo Rem’s focus is also all about relationships. This common goal of creating, enhancing and maintaining relationships attracted me to join this incredible company. De Rigo does so much good in the industry and has so many impactful stories to tell.”
 
Ekmekchain began working at De Rigo Rem in high school through a learning experience course, and remained at the company while finishing her undergraduate degree and then her master’s degree in communications with a focus on marketing from the University of Southern California.  She has been with De Rigo Rem for nine years, moving from a customer service role into her new role as brand manager. 
 
 
 
In this new role, Ekmekchain oversees all of De Rigo’s brands and licenses. She said, “I am looking forward to contributing to our growth for many more years to come.”
 
Finally, Melik-Stepanyan has been promoted to senior manager of product development after starting at a role in De Rigo Rem’s quality control department. She has worked across a variety of departments at the company and in her new role she contributes to the design of De Rigo Rem’s many eyewear collections.
 
Alessandro Baronti, president and CEO, De Rigo REM, said, “De Rigo is a company that believes in and supports the forward advancement of women in the optical industry. These three women are passionate about what they do, and it is evident in their work. We are grateful to have so many talented women in leadership within our company.”