Our President and Officers
Jan David Winitz
Jan David Winitz, President and founder Claremont Rug Company in Oakland, CA, has built a global reputation among carpet collectors and connoisseurs since he founded the company—at age 25—in 1980. Born into a New York family of art collectors and scientists, “Winitz inherited two things from his grandmother: a collection of great rugs and a love of art.” (Financial Times). His stated vision was, “to introduce fine families to antique carpets possessing equal or greater artistic magnitude to works of art usually displayed on the wall.” Claremont Rug Company continues to be a leading source of antique art-level Oriental carpets in the world. The author of “The Guide to Purchasing an Oriental Rug”, Winitz has a global clientele for whom antique rugs are a great passion.
Christine Hunt Winitz
Christine Hunt Winitz, Vice-President in charge of special projects and advertising. A founding member of Claremont Rug Company and wife of Jan David Winitz, Christine has been active in sales, marketing, publicity, and operations since the company opened in 1980. An avid collector who also has a superb sense of interior design, she works with our sales team in preparing suites of carpets for our Whole Home projects. She has designed and acted as the artistic director for Claremont’s 65 brochures that are now a collector’s item and has spearheaded every publicity project for the last 30 years.
Robin Somerville
Robin Somerville has over 25 years of experience at Claremont, availing clients of his thorough knowledge of art-level carpets. He has extensive experience working with a wide array of clients to integrate fine carpets into the home décor. He generously shares his clarity and great passion for art rugs. His amiable demeanor and precise guidance makes learning about and choosing the most appropriate carpets a delightful, fulfilling experience. As Claremont 2’s longtime sales manager, he works with a clientele across the country. He also assists Claremont President and Founder, Jan David Winitz, on major estate projects and is currently working with Mr. Winitz on a definitive book about rugs as a major art form.
Marian Clark
Marian Clark, General Manager, is also a founding member of Claremont Rug Company. Bringing a strong organizational background and an innovative practicality, Marian has developed the procedures in every department in sales support and operations and co-ordinates our restoration department. She has also skillfully managed our human resources, customer service, and accounting departments for three decades, as our company expanded from local prominence to serving an international clientele.
Nancy Brinkley
Nancy Brinkley, Senior Sales Associate & Gallery Manager, has been working closely with Jan David Winitz and the sales department since 1996. A graduate of California University at Berkeley with a degree in Art History, Nancy has contributed to Claremont Rug Company’s vision of firmly establishing antique Oriental rugs as inimitable works of art akin to the finest paintings. Nancy continues to work with Mr. Winitz and the Claremont team of sales associates in building substantial private collections for clients, assisting in many large estate projects and introducing new clients to joys of living with fine antique carpets.