Starboard Cruise Services has announced two important executive appointments.
Jewelry industry veteran Caryl Capeci has been named SVP Fine Jewelry & Watches, and Benito Mendez is returning to Starboard as SVP of Merchandising and Planning.
Capeci joined Starboard as a strategic advisor earlier this year. In her new role, Capeci will harness 30 years of experience leading the jewelry industry. Prior to joining Starboard, she was CEO of Chow Tai Fook North America (CTFNA), the parent company that operates diamond jewelry brands, Hearts On Fire and Mémoire.
Prior to Hearts On Fire, Capeci’s career spanned both Jewelry and Cruise leading the Agency Marketing teams for DeBeers Diamonds at JWT and then Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises as an EVP at Havas/Arnold.
Benito Mendez previously worked for Starboard for 16 years in increasingly senior roles, before becoming VP of Merchandising and Planning. With a career spanning over two decades, Mendez started his professional journey with Macy’s executive management program. He also led the retail strategy, product develop-ment, e-commerce and licensing for Hard Rock International. As a forward-thinking retail leader charged with leading Starboard’s merchandising strategy, he will work closely with Starboard’s portfolio of product brand partners.
