Group-4

Lisa has over 15 years of experience in insurance & jewelers block underwriting & loss control. She has been with Jewelers Mutual for nine years successfully holding various underwriting positions. Lisa most recently served as a Senior Underwriter in Commercial Lines where she was responsible for underwriting large high-profile commercial jeweler and pawnbroker risks. She is a passionate advocate of safety for jewelers and pawnbrokers, she offers advice on how to protect themselves, their staff and their businesses.

Jeff started his 32-career working in the pawn industry with Cash America International. After 4 years in the retail pawn industry, Jeff assumed a corporate role with Value Pawn & Jewelry, where he trained over 175 new GM’s using the principles of Covey Leadership. During his time with VP&J as Director of Leadership and Development, the company grew to 75 stores over a four-year period. Jeff went into partnership with Bay Area Pawnshops in Clearwater FL and later sold his interest in the stores. He joined ICG Pawnshop Consulting and worked as the Director of store operations and led the organization’s operational initiatives. Jeff moved on to spend 3 years working with Cashwiz as their Director of Leadership and Store Support, which Jeff still consults for today. In 2018 Jeff joined National Pawn and Jewelry, which was a consulting client as Director of Training and Profitability. Today Jeff is the Director of Store Operations for NPAJ.

Kimberly Waldon leads the company’s recruitment operations, with responsibility for 23 stores in North Carolina. She has been with National Jewelry and Pawn (NJAP) for 8 years.

During National Pawn’s business growth, Kimberly plays an instrumental role in talent acquisition and retention efforts of existing stores, store acquisitions, and new store locations. With 14 new stores since 2014, Kimberly have been successful in creating new recruitment methods and improving existing processes. Kimberly is also a champion of the company’s culture, mission, and values.

In her previous role with Sears Holdings Corporation for 22 years, she served in various positions to include store management, inventory analyst, co-buyer, and recruitment manager. As a Regional Recruitment Manager at Sears Holdings Corporation, Kimberly managed the recruitment of Assistant Store Managers, Store Managers, District Managers, and Regional Level positions for the Mid-Atlantic Region which consists of multiple states and 100+ stores. She was responsible for full-cycle recruitment and instrumental in improving processes and developing best practices. She also led college recruitment.

Kimberly has a passion for learning and continued development. She is a graduate of Madonna University (Livonia Michigan) where she received her B.S. Degree in Business Administration. She received her Master of Science Degree in International Administration from Central Michigan University (Mt. Pleasant, Michigan) and Master of Divinity Degree from Shaw University Divinity School, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Kimberly is married to Ronald P. Waldon, Jr, and proud mother of one son, Ronald Waldon III.

Natalee Fitch-Peppitt has been in the pawn industry for 4 years. She has a background in high-end fashion retail buying. Natalee is the creator of Gold Cup Live, a live selling outlet for Gold Cup Pawn Shop. Gold Cup Live was created during the Covid Pandemic of 2020 and has since produced over $1.5 million in sales with over 10,000 online orders. Natalee’s Facebook groups have a little under 9,000 members. Natalee is passionate about luxury and designer goods. She and her husband reside in the Texas Hill Country.

Rachel Fitch of Gold Cup Pawn Shop has been in the pawn industry for 5 years. She has been conducting estate sales in the Texas Hill Country for 30 years. Rachel is a member of TAP where she has previously sat on the board. She is also a founding member of the National Estate Sales Association. She holds a world record for the sale of Patek Philippe 2526 watch. Rachel resides in the Texas Hill Country with her husband and family.

Lauren Kaminsky Goldman, aka GOLDGIRL, has been immersed in the world of jewelry since birth. Lauren’s love for treasure hunting began at her grandfather’s pawnshops where she would sift through trays of jewelry to find unique pieces and pretend to negotiate the best deals with the staff. She was taught how to properly value gold and diamonds, along with developing an appreciation for the craftsmanship of fine jewelry. Now, as Chief Operating Officer and President of EZ Pawn Corp, she oversees 15 locations, working alongside her father, brother, & sister.

In 2011 she founded ByGOLDGIRL, and as her new company’s first venture, collaborated with Tao Group Hospitality and celebrity chef Chris Santos on the opening of Beauty & Essex in New York City. Her pawnshop-inspired retail store greets guests who can peruse her curated offerings of vintage finds and curiosities before entering the glamorous restaurant that awaits behind the back door. The successful venture led to additional Beauty & Essex locations in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

In 2022, as part of her mission to share of love of gold further, she created a ByGOLDGIRL collection for QVC, which features new fine jewelry crafted with 14k gold and real diamonds, inspired by her favorite finds sourcing pre-loved pieces for her retail shops at Beauty & Essex. She also works directly with clients on bespoke custom pieces under her MyGOLDGIRL brand.

Kevin has been in the Pawn Business for 32 Years.  He has served on the MPA Board since 1992 and was President of the Mississippi Pawnbrokers Association for a total of 14 years.  During that time, the MPA has the following accomplishments:  state Pawn Law Passed in 1993; yearly continuing educational requirement passed in 2010 (1 of only two states) and built a solid relationship with Mississippi state legislators.  Kevin has also been President of the Mississippi Retail Association for 2 years and board member for 10 years.  He also served on the NPA Board and was Convention Chairman for 1 year. In addition, Kevin also helped start the Dixie Educational Conference and Trade Show. Kevin is the current owner of Collateral Lenders in Jackson, Mississippi.

After graduating from Johnson and Wales University, Brett went on to work in sales management for Waste Management handling major accounts in the northeast. In 2000 he took a regional management position for a precious metal refiner where he was first introduced to the pawn industry. During his 10 years in the refining industry Brett received numerous sales awards while handling the needs of large jewelry manufactures, retail chains, and pawn stores. Brett was on the NPA Board of Directors 2007-2008.   After visiting thousands of pawnshops over the years Brett sought advice from many of the greats in the pawn industry that he had met over the years prior to opening his own pawn shop, East Coast Jewelry and Loan in 2010.

Brett is actively engaged in his community through his volunteer and political work. After being the chairman of the North Stonington Economic Development Commission for 13 years, Brett became a North Stonington Selectman in 2021. He is deeply committed to community and his role as a resident and businessperson in North Stonington. In his spare time, Brett enjoys spending time on his farm with his wife Stephanie and their children.

Ken is a Second Generation Pawnbroker that has been involved in the Pawnbroker business since 1978 after his father, KK Huddleston, opened his first Pawn Shop in Manchester. After graduating from Tennessee Technological University, Ken began working full time at KK’s. Currently he is President of KK’s Loans, Music & Jewelry, Inc that serves 3 locations in Southern Middle Tennessee. Ken is a long-time supporter of the NPA since the 1990’s. He has served as the President of Tennessee Pawnbrokers Association, and he is currently serving as Secretary/Treasurer for the TNPA. Ken is married to Nancy Huddleston since 1990; they have two kids. Zakk, oldest son, has been with the company since graduating from Tennessee Technological University, and he opened the McMinnville Location in 2017. He is currently serving as a Regional Manager. Isabella, after graduating from University of Alabama Huntsville, is currently enrolled at South College as a Physician’s Assistant.