Center for Retailing Studies
Introduction
Cheryl Holland Bridges has been named the new Director of the Center for Retailing Studies at Texas A&M?s Mays Business School.
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Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2006 16:55:39 -0500
From: "Hollinger, Kelli" <KHollinger@mays.tamu.edu>
Texas A&M’s Center for Retailing Studies Announces New Director
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, APRIL 10, 2006 – Mays Business School announced today that Cheryl Holland Bridges will assume the position of Director of the Center for Retailing Studies at Texas A&M University effective immediately. She replaces Dr. David M. Szymanski who is stepping down from the position after nine years of dedicated service to the Center. Dr. Szymanski continues as Professor of Marketing and JCPenney Chair of Retailing Studies.
Bridges has been with the Center for Retailing Studies as Associate Director since 2003. She brings 25 years of executive experience to the directorship. Her most recent position was Senior Vice President Merchandising for Ashford.com. Prior to Ashford.com she held senior management positions with Federated Department Stores, BATUS Corporate Office, and Halls Merchandising. She is a member of the National Retail Federation, Fashion Group International and many other professional organizations. Bridges is a graduate of Texas Woman’s University and has received the University’s Distinguished Alumna Award.
"Mays Business School has benefited from David Szymanski’s outstanding leadership in the Center for Retailing Studies in the past five years," said Dean Jerry Strawser. "We are confident that Cheryl Holland Bridges will increase the excellence of the Center’s programs and partnerships with leaders in the retail industry and are pleased to welcome her to our leadership team."
As Associate Director, Bridges drove the successful expansion of the Center’s Executive Professor teaching program and numerous other student programs. In addition to administrative duties, she established Mays’ Retail Buying class, which she teaches each semester. The course condenses a two-year buying training program into a semester-long learning module. It is the nation’s only Retail Buying course taught within a business school.
Jeff Conant, Professor of Marketing and Department Head Designate, says “Cheryl Holland Bridges brings to the position a very impressive career in retailing and many valuable industry contacts. She has also achieved great success in the classroom with her Retail Buying course. This makes her uniquely equipped to meet the needs of both our students and the Center’s sponsor companies.”
“I am very confident that Ms. Bridges will further the Center’s reputation as the nation’s premier institution of retailing education. Pier 1 Imports has enjoyed a long and positive relationship with Texas A&M University, and we look to continue that relationship with Ms. Bridges as Director,” said Greg Humensky, Vice President of Human Resources at Pier 1 Imports.
"Assuming the helm of the Center for Retailing Studies is a tremendous honor and opportunity for me," said Bridges. "I look forward to continuing the Center’s mission to prepare Mays Business School students for professional careers in retailing and to serve as a valuable resource to retailers and retailing-related companies.”
The Center for Retailing Studies is the nation’s premier institution for retailing education, research and service. Established 23 years ago and fully supported through corporate sponsorships, the Center functions to promote retailing as a destination career and to prepare undergraduates for executive careers in the industry.
The Center for Retailing Studies is housed in Mays Business School at Texas A&M University in College Station. U.S. News & World Report (2007) ranks Mays Business School’s undergraduate and MBA programs in the top 20 among America’s public institutions. For more information on Mays visit: