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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2006

Contact: Contact: Mike Emery
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CHRISTINE HOLLAND JOINS UH’S COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
AS EXECUTIVE IN RESIDENCE
Retail Management Veteran Offering Experience,
Expertise to Consumer Sciences Students

HOUSTON, Nov. 8, 2006 – After 20 years of managing multi-million dollar businesses, Christine Holland definitely has some stories to tell. Fortunately for University of Houston students, she’s sharing these executive experiences in the classroom.

Holland, a former senior vice president for Foley’s department stores, is the first executive in residence in UH College of Technology’s Human Development and Consumer Sciences (HDCS) Department. She’s currently offering her professional insight to students in the HDCS course “Introduction to Merchandising,” which focuses on the principles of retail management and merchandising.

“The College of Technology is delighted to welcome Christine Holland as an executive in residence,” said William Fitzgibbon, dean of the College of Technology. “Her extensive experience in retail and merchandising is invaluable to our efforts in providing state of the art knowledge and experience to our students.”

Holland previously served as senior vice president and general merchandise manager for women’s apparel at Foley’s. In this role, she managed $360 million in annual sales for 72 stores in five states. During her time with Foley’s she also served as vice president and divisional merchandise manager for women’s accessories. She was a key figure in revitalizing the company’s sales of women’s sportswear and launching Mirasol, the successful private label line of women’s casual wear. Holland also developed innovative merchandising strategies through effective store presentations.

In her class, Holland covers topics such as customer relationships, management, buying processes, consumer behaviors and financial strategies. Her long career in the retail industry has allowed her to recount personal experiences with these subjects.

“Having firsthand knowledge of these topics is helpful,” Holland said. “Even the best textbook can’t go into enough detail on a subject like ‘firing a customer,’ which happens when a customer’s demands become too outrageous or costly to an organization. Having been down that road allows me to touch on a very delicate and sometimes necessary practice.”

Likewise, Holland’s insight into industry trends helps her communicate the varied career options that await HDCS graduates.

“Because so many stores are becoming consolidated, there aren’t as many jobs as buyers,” she said. “On the flipside, there now are more opportunities for store managers and planner/allocators, who support buyers by forecasting seasonal wear and researching demographics.”

She’s also bringing industry professionals into the classroom from disparate yet interconnected areas such as human resources, management and purchasing.

“I think it’s very important for students to have a feel for what jobs in this field are really like,” Holland said. “Too often, there’s a misconception about the retail industry. Many people equate it with folding sweaters at a department store, but this class helps students understand that it’s much more than that. By featuring different professional guests, the course helps students better understand the inner workings of the industry and focus their career choices.”

Holland is no stranger to UH or working with students. In 2002, she served as a guest lecturer for a merchandising course taught by Barbara Stewart, HDCS professor. Last year, Holland also was among the panelists at HDCS’s Fashion Forum titled “Movers, Shakers and Makers,” which offered different retailing and merchandising perspectives to UH students, as well as those from local high schools and colleges.

“I’ve always had a productive relationship with UH,” Holland said. “In addition to working with HDCS on classes and events, I’ve recruited its students for the Foley’s Executive Training Program.”

During the upcoming spring semester, Holland will work with Shirley Ezell, associate professor of HDCS, to develop new coursework. She will also lend her expertise to the department’s Merchandise Star awards in January, 2007, which honors outstanding contributions to the fashion industry.

When not working with UH students, she serves as a member of the Houston Symphony Board and marketing committee, the Houston Zoo’s advisory council, the United Way’s allocations’ committee and the Women’s Initiative steering committee.

“Christine Holland presents the dynamic changes in the world of retailing and offers a view of the future for our students,” Ezell said. “She is as dynamic in the classroom as she is in the Houston community.”

About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 35,000 students.

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