Our Staff
We Love What We Do.
At Mills Jewelers, you’ll find our staff is knowledgeable, helpful and completely oriented to achieving the perfect piece of jewelry to express your unique style. It’s clearly evident that we love what we do. Drop us a line or give us a call. You’ll appreciate a new comfort level in consulting with our experts as partners in jewelry design. Click on us for help.
Heather Fritz-Bauer
Jewelry, Gem, Repair, and Design Expert.
GIA Diamond Graduate
- Fine Jewelry Experience from Birth (but officially 20 years)
- Sterling Silver Jewelry Designer, HFB Designs
- Diamond Graduate, Gemological Institute of America
- In 2008 Heather was chosen from thousands of applicants for a Gemological Education Scholarship through the New York State Jewelers Association.
- Gemstone and jewelry buyer at international trade shows
- Believes in listening before talking
- Heiress to the Mills Jewelers empire
heather@millsjewelers.com 
George Fritz
Owner
- 52nd year at Mills Jewelers
- Graduate Gemologist, Gemological Institute of America
- 2021 Lockport’s Key to the Locks recipient
- Named Best Jeweler 2016 – Lockport Union Sun & Journal Readers Poll
- Niagara USA Chamber 2004 Business Person of the Year
- Lockport High School Distinguished Alumni – inducted 2010
- Was the paperboy to Mills Jewelers when hired in 1972 to sweep the floor, wash the glass, and run errands. Became the sole owner in 1989.
- Chairman of the Mural on Main committee to design and hand paint the mural, Guardian of the Waters on Main St.
- Supporter of the Historic Palace Theatre
- Takes direction from a 14 year old and her two twin sisters
Brian Stevens
Jewelry, Gem, Repair, and Design Expert,
GIA Diamond and Pearl Graduate
- 32 years with Mills Jewelers
- Diamond Grading Graduate, Gemological Institute of America
- Countersketch CAD Custom Jewelry Designer
- Pearl & Pearl Stringing Graduate, Gemological Institute of America
- Was hired at age 18 after buying a class ring for his sister. The owner called his mother to tell her how impressed he was with her son and asked if Brian would like a job.
- Brian believes that character is everything
- Always one sentence away from a bowling, basketball, baseball, golf, hunting or fishing story
Phillip Shimanovich
Fine Jewelry Consultant
Diamond Graduate, (GIA)
- 2nd year with Mills Jewelers.
- Applied Jewelry Professional, Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
- Diamond Graduate (GIA)
- Known for his sly smile
- Can tell you exactly where the candy is kept.
Keri Neace
FINE JEWELRY CONSULTANT
APPLIED JEWELRY PROFESSIONAL, (GIA)
- First year with Mills Jewelers.
- Currently working on her Diamond Graduate program (GIA)
- Traded a banking career for the happy side of life.
- Loves connecting with people.
- Memorized the script to the movie, “The Sandlot”.
Lorin Ander
FINE JEWELRY CONSULTANT
- First Year with Mills Jewelers.
- Small town girl with big diamond dreams
- elly Cat Collector
- On the path to mastering CAD jewelry design.
Daniel Fiegel
Sales Associate
- 2nd year with Mills Jewelers.
- Knows all about Shinola Watches
- Shines as a staff member between semesters at Niagara University.
- Goalie for the Purple Eagles Soccer Team
Mariah Florio
Digital Assistant / Customer Coordinator
- 4th year with Mills Jewelers
- US Army Veteran.
- A natural born wordsmith.
- Skilled artist with an eye for aesthetics and fine details.
- Motto she lives by “Life is all about the connections you make”.
- Her free time is spent gaming, obsessing over her dogs, dabbling in the arts and watching foreign tv dramas.