Meet the team
Our staff
Jami began working at Dempsey & Baxter in 1992. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from Penn State University and holds numerous IT roles throughout the store. Jami serves as staff support and project engineer, and enjoys working with coins, paper money, and pocket and wrist watches. He is a life member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatics (PAN). Jami is also a member of NGC, PCGS, Central States Numismatic Society (CSNS), Tennessee State Numismatic Society (TSNS), Georgia Numismatic Association (GNA), and Michigan State Numismatic Society.
Jami Dempsey
Partner
Chris began working at Dempsey & Baxter in 1995. As an owner and senior numismatist, Chris is known nationally as an industry market maker in certified Morgan Dollars, Peace Dollars, Walking Liberty Half Dollars, US Gold, and Pre-1965 US Coinage. Chris is also an authenticator and appraiser, and has extensive experience in precious metals investment and numismatic counterfeit detection. He is a member of: Professional Numismatics Guild, American Numismatic Association Life Member (ANA), National Silver Dollar RoundTable Life Member (NSDR), Roundtable Trading Platinum Member, Florida United Numismatists (FUN), and the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatics (PAN).
Chris Dempsey
Partner
Jack joined the business in 1973. His wealth of knowledge in the areas of coins, currency, jewelry, and antiques is highly sought after. Jack specializes in rare paper documents, rare coins and currency, token/medal/militaria appraisals, antiques, Americana, autographs, foreign, and ancient coins. A Life Member of ANA, Jack is also a member of the Florida United Numismatists, Michigan State Numismatists, PCGS, NGC, and a Charter Member of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. Jack also holds numerous certificates from the Gemological Institute of America. In addition, Jack is a master jeweler, in both design and repair and restoration.
Jack Dempsey
Specialty: Rare Coins
Numismatist, Master Jeweler, Bullion Specialist
Sherri Dempsey
Research Specialist, Antique Dolls
Retail
Leslie has been a valued part of the Dempsey & Baxter team since 2004. She has completed coursework including GIA Colored Stone Essentials, GIA Colored Stones, GIA Diamond Graduate and GIA Gem Identification Lab. Leslie specializes in appraisal work, diamond and gemstone sorting and matching, and engravings. She also works closely with clients to create, redesign, and remount jewelry. You will often find her working with engagement ring clients, assisting with special occasion sales, as well as working to curate the jewelry that we carry in the store.
Leslie, GIA Diamonds Graduate
Retail Jewelry Professional, Appraiser, Buyer
Jessica joined Dempsey & Baxter in 2011. Since that time, she earned her GIA Graduate Gemologist, GIA Accredited Jewelry Professional, and GIA Pearls certificates. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewelry and Metalsmithing from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, with a minor in Photography and Art History. Jessica’s areas of expertise include engagement rings, custom designs, and restyling, as well as gemstone identification. She also conducts appraisal research, works with social media and advertising, is part of the Quality Control team, and does pearl stringing. She loves making connections with clients, especially when she can experience their joy and excitement when they pick up their engagement ring or a sentimental family piece of jewelry.
Jessica, GIA Graduate Gemologist
Retail Jewelry Professional, Custom Design
April joined Dempsey & Baxter in 2024. Before falling in love with jewelry while working in fine/high jewelry sales in New York City, April worked as a professional interior designer and make-up artist and skin-care specialist. April holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Kent State University with a minor in Photo Illustration, as well as an Associate of Science Degree in Digital Photography from Harrington College of Design with a concentration in Architectural Photography. April is currently pursuing her Applied Jewelry Professional accreditation from GIA. April provides exceptional customer service while fostering client relationships, and enjoys working with clients on jewelry repairs and restorations, and learning more about the custom design jewelry process.
April
Retail Jewelry Professional
Ashley began working at Dempsey & Baxter in 2012. Her bachelor’s degree in communication & public relations, and master’s degree in public administration, lend her to actively participate in advertising and social media for the store. Since joining Dempsey & Baxter, Ashley has completed her GIA Jewelry Essentials and GIA Diamond Essentials coursework. She works with the team to curate the jewelry selection carried by the store, as well as in inventory management. You will often find Ashley working with clients to create custom jewelry, stunning engagement rings, and personal shopping experiences.
Ashley
Retail Jewelry Professional, Custom Design
Emily joined the Dempsey & Baxter team in 2024.A Project Manager by trade, Emily has successfully managed and implemented projects across several industries including healthcare, IT, insurance, and the arts. Post-pandemic, she shifted her focus to the jewelry industry and worked at Breakiron Diamond Jewelers until its closure in 2023.Emily holds a B.A. in Communications from Slippery Rock University, a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification, and was recognized as a 40 under 40 contributor to the City of Erie in 2018. Since joining Dempsey & Baxter in 2024, Emily is pursuing an Applied Jewelry Professional accreditation from GIA. She specializes in project management and personal shopping.
Emily
Retail Jewelry Professional
Melrose joined Dempsey & Baxter in 1995. Her years of experience make her a well-known and requested member of the team. Melrose specializes in all areas of sales and is well-versed in both jewelry and coins. She has previously completed GIA Jewelry Essentials and has acquired much of her knowledge of the industry over her 25+ years at the store.
Melrose
Retail Jewelry Professional, Buyer
Tracy started working at Dempsey & Baxter in 2007, with 13 years previous experience in the jewelry industry. Her areas of expertise include coins, buying gold, silver jewelry and coins, and estate jewelry. Her attention to detail can be viewed in many of the jewelry displays that she creates in the store.
Tracy
Retail Jewelry Professional, Buyer
Jewelers
Eric started his career with Dempsey & Baxter in 1998, but his experience with jewelry began in high school in 1973. Eric went on to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewelry/Metalsmithing and K-12 Art Education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (EUP). He then completed diamond setting and repair coursework through the Manufacturing Jewelers and Silversmiths Association, as well as bench tricks and repair with Jurgen Maerz. He has completed advanced laser coursework, as well as taught repair and stone setting seminars at EUP. Eric enjoys casting and fabrication of jewelry. With over 50 years of experience, Eric has worked with notable jewelers Steve Becker, Javier Acevedo, John Filip, Jack Dempsey, and Bus Doubet.
Eric
Master Jeweler, Custom Fabrication
Stephanie started working with Dempsey & Baxter in 2014. Her background in jewelry began years before, as she is an AIP Master Jeweler, attended Stewart’s International School for Jewelry, and is a GIA Graduate Gemologist. Stephanie is knowledgeable in many aspects of sales, jewelry design, and repair, and you can often find her working on special projects in the bench room. She frequently works with clients to make custom designs and enjoys the creative process of helping clients design jewelry that they will cherish.
Stephanie, GIA Graduate Gemologist
Master Jeweler, Custom Design, Appraiser
Jody joined Dempsey & Baxter in 2022. She earned her Master of Fine Arts (Jewelry Metals Enameling) from Kent State University in 2021, previously completing her bachelor’s in fine arts from Edinboro University in 2018. Jody also earned an Applied Jewelry Professional diploma from the Gemological Institute of America. She enjoys wax working, chasing and repoussé, as well as working with alternative materials.
Jody, Master of Fine Arts
Bench Jeweler
Currency & Numismatics
AJ joined Dempsey & Baxter in 2023. His extensive experience with paper money comes from previous roles as a Paper Money Guarantee, Grader, and Finalizer. AJ honed his skills growing up around currency grading with his father. He enjoys going to trade shows and working with clients and likes to work with Type Notes in paper money.
AJ
Director of Currency
Jeff joined Dempsey & Baxter in 2021. Jeff has a bachelor's degree in energy, business, and finance. His background in coins and currency, and specifically his interest in toned coins and rare numismatic slabs, is valued in the coin department.
Jeff
Numismatic Specialist
Brian joined Dempsey & Baxter in 2023, bringing with him years of self-taught coin experience. Brian specializes in Morgan dollars, American type coins, California fractional gold, and gold dollars. Brian’s love of numismatics began as a child where he would sort coins with his mother and grandmother. A 15-year United States Army veteran, including 3 deployments, Brian previously served as a Special Operations Flight Medic as well as a United States Army Medical Instructor.
Brian
Numismatist
Dave began working at Dempsey & Baxter in 2017. His love of coins, especially Morgan dollars, makes him a valuable part of the team. Dave often conducts coin research and sorting, as well as e-commerce management. He recently completed ANA Coin Grading 1.
Dave
E-Commerce, Vault Coordinator, Numismatist
Mike started with Dempsey & Baxter in 2022. His enjoyment of coins shows through in his work ethic in the store. Mike is an ANA Lifetime Member, and enjoys working with US Type Coins, varieties, and military history. He recently completed ANA Coin Grading 1.
Mike
Numismatist
Matt joined Dempsey & Baxter in 2023, bringing with him a 6-year background in logistics, parcel shipments, and e-commerce. He focuses his time on ensuring secure and timely shipments, while also participating in e-commerce endeavors. In addition, Matt enjoys researching medieval and ancient coins.
Matt
Shipping & Logistics
Office
Renee
Accountant