Sheldon Kwiat graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Upon graduation, he joined the family diamond business in New York, Kwiat Inc. He was President of Kwiat, Inc., a major diamond and diamond jewelry supplier to stores throughout the United States, until his retirement.

During Mr. Kwiat’s almost fifty years in the diamond business, he served on many industry associations and boards, including Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Jeweler’s Security Alliance (JSA), Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association (DMIA), and Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC).  Mr. Kwiat spent twelve years on the GIA Board of Governors, holding positions as the Board Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Audit & Finance Committee. GIA is recognized as the world’s leading authority in diamond grading and gemological education. On JSA’s Board, he held the position of Board Chairman. JSA’s mission is to fight crimes against jewelers in the United States, working closely with the FBI and local law enforcement agencies.  On the DMIA’s Board, Mr. Kwiat was a member of the Executive Board of Directors. DMIA works to promote cooperation amongst trade associations, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations, at both the national and international levels. He served on the Board of Directors for the JVC, which provides information to jewelry industry businesses so that they may comply with all relevant local, state, federal, and international laws.

Currently, Mr. Kwiat is active in family-owned real estate ventures, both residential and commercial.

Before becoming Boca Raton residents, Mr. Kwiat and his wife, Rita, lived on the North Shore of Long Island, in the Village of Kings Point in Great Neck, where they raised their two children.  Mr. Kwiat was very active in Village of Kings Point Government, serving as an elected Village Trustee for over twenty years, and Chairman of the Architectural Review Committee, Landmarks Preservation Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals.  

Philanthropically, the Kwiats are active supporters of NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, Boca Raton Regional Hospital, The Symphonia, and Festival of the Arts BOCA.

Mr. Kwiat has several outside interests and hobbies. First and foremost, he enjoys being with his family.  He and his wife, Rita, have two children, their spouses, and three grandchildren. Mr. Kwiat is an avid golfer who also loves going to concerts, listening to music at home as an audiophile, and playing piano as an amateur.