Alliance Data Systems Corporation , a leading global provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions, announced that Charles Horn, its longtime CFO, has informed the Company of his intent to retire in 2019. The Company’s succession process is structured to ensure that Management and the Board of Directors have the appropriate time to evaluate candidates, while maintaining the services and institutional knowledge base of the incumbent. The search for a successor will include both internal and external candidates.

In announcing his plans, Charles Horn said, “I joined in 2009 with the goal of helping Alliance Data grow and mature into the world class organization it is today. I also set a personal goal of being the CFO of a large public company for 10 years. Next year marks that milestone and with it comes the opportunity to retire along with the right time to transition to the next generation of leadership.”

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“I want to thank Charles for his commitment to our company’s success,” said Ed Heffernan, president and chief executive officer of Alliance Data. “Perhaps Charles’ greatest contribution is the tremendous finance organization he built with a deep bench of expertise across the financial spectrum.”

Heffernan continued, “Our succession plan gives us the time and flexibility to find the right candidate while crystallizing the critical initiatives his successor will lead. In addition to his normal duties as CFO, I have asked Charles to focus on three priorities during his remaining tenure. First, ensuring that the internal recovery investment made at our Card Services business is completed and, thus, that our credit loss rate remains stable going into 2019. Next, assisting in the rapid reconfiguration of our credit card client portfolio toward nontraditional, fast-growing categories. And finally, leading strategic efforts to accelerate the growth rate of our non-card businesses.”

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