Executive team

Ralph Destino

Chairman

A leader in the jewelry industry for more than 30 years, Ralph Destino is the former President and Chairman of Cartier, Inc. and currently serves as Chairman Emeritus. During his 32-year career with Cartier, Mr. Destino presided over widespread expansion of the business in Asia and North America. The company developed three additional divisions: Les Must de Cartier (marketing watches and accessories), Parfums Cartier (fragrances) and Lunettes Cartier (optical frames), and grew to a nationwide organization of 32 stores and a network of 400 authorized dealers across America.

Mr. Destino also serves as Chairman-Emeritus of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and as a Director of Van Cleef & Arpels,Inc.  Other professional affiliations include his current role as Chairman of the American Watch Guild, Chairman of the Editorial Advisory Board of National Jeweler magazine and his former positions as Chairman of the Jewelry Information Center and a Director of Jewelers of America.”

An active leader in his community, Mr. Destino served for 14 years as Chairman of the American Cancer Society in New York, and for 18 years as a Director of the United Way of New York. He is currently a Director of the Brain Trauma Foundation.

Mr. Destino has received numerous awards and commendations for his philanthropic work, including the International Humanitarian Award from Boys’ Towns of Italy, the Torch of Liberty Award from the Anti-Defamation League, the Human Relations Award from the American Jewish Committee, and the Distinguished Service Award from the American Cancer Society.

Additionally, Mr. Destino’s peers in the jewelry industry have recognized his contribution to the field. His numerous professional awards include the Hall of Fame Award from the Diamond Industry Council and the Triple Zero Award from the American Gem Society. In 1997, he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and was inducted into the Retail Jewelers Hall of Fame in 1999.

Ralph Destino, Jr.

Founder/President

The visionary behind the Legacy Group, Ralph Destino, Jr. brings more than a decade of expertise in sales, advertising and entertainment to his leadership position at the company.

Mr. Destino is the managing member of Appian Way Investments, a wholly-owned real estate company specializing in acquisitions, development and sales of residential properties in Miami Beach, the Hamptons and St. Barts.

Previously, Mr. Destino held senior positions within the advertising industry, including Vice President of Niche Media, publisher of luxury lifestyle publications Gotham, Hamptons, among others, and Director of Advertising Sales at Manhattan File Magazine. During his tenure, Mr. Destino secured major accounts with Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier and Mont Blanc. He also played a critical role in orchestrating the launch of Gotham magazine.

Mr. Destino began his career as a sales representative for TruColor, Inc., a Miami-based printing and graphic arts firm. He was soon promoted to vice president after acquiring major new clients, including Conde Nast Publications. Following his success with TruColor, Inc., Mr. Destino relocated to California, where he opened his own entertainment management company. TYSM: Told Ya So Management negotiated contracts with entertainment entities including International Creative Management and the UPN Network.

A graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, Mr. Destino is a former actor who has appeared in such films as Carlito’s Way, directed by Brian DePalma and starring Al Pacino.

He has a son, Henry Destino, and resides in New York City.