James A. Northrop ’69

James A. Northrop ’69, of Onchiota, N.Y.; Aug. 7, of lung and brain cancer. After earning his MBA from Columbia University in 1972, he worked in marketing at Quaker Oats and later became president and COO at Monet. He went on to hold CEO positions at companies that included the Trifari/Marvella Jewelry unit of Hallmark, the Popular Club Plan business of J. Crew, and Crystal Brands Jewelry. In 1989 Fortune Magazine “crowned” him the “King of Costume Jewelry.” In 1994, he acquired Princess House from Colgate-Palmolive and was its CEO for 12 years. He brought the direct selling business model to subsequent roles with the Canadian public company Immunotec and eventually his own Winfield Consulting, founded in retirement. With his colleagues at Winfield, he served more than 60 companies in the direct selling business ranging from start-ups to multibillion-dollar enterprises. He also served on multiple corporate and nonprofit boards, including the Direct Selling Association and the Direct Selling Education Foundation. He is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren.