Alliance Data Systems Corporation (NYSE: ADS), a leading provider of loyalty and marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich data, today announced that Charles L. Horn has joined the company as executive vice president and chief financial officer effective December 7th.<br />A seasoned veteran, Horn has extensive accounting experience, particularly in industries with complex accounting policies, and has had lengthy experience in the management and oversight of auditing and regulatory responsibilities.  Additionally, Horn previously served as chief financial officer for two large publicly traded companies, dealing extensively with both investors and Wall Street, and overseeing capital markets strategy, M&A, operations and other traditional CFO-related functions. Horn's prior position before joining Alliance Data was as CFO for Builders Firstsource, Inc., which sells building products to professional homebuilders.  Horn was instrumental in taking the company public in 2005 and overseeing myriad acquisitions and re-financings, dividend recapitalizations, and a public debt offering.  He also served as finance and treasury vice president for Pier 1 Imports' retail operations where Horn had oversight of Pier 1's private label credit card program and related operations, including the company's international expansion efforts in the United Kingdom and Mexico.  Prior to Pier 1, Horn held the CFO position for publicly traded Conquest Industries.  He began his professional career as an audit manager for PricewaterhouseCoopers (formerly Price Waterhouse).  <br /><br />Ed Heffernan, Alliance Data president and chief executive officer, noted that Horn is an ideal candidate as the company's new CFO based on the depth of his financial acumen and executive leadership experience, as well as his breadth of experience in different industries.  In addition to Heffernan, Horn will serve as another liaison to the investment community.<br /><br />"Charles' well-rounded professional background will serve him well as Alliance Data's new chief financial officer, and we're excited to have him on board," said Heffernan.  "Among other key responsibilities, he will play a critical role in implementing new accounting changes and policies, and in serving as an additional face to investors.  Also, with Alliance Data's three businesses spanning diverse industries, Charles' broad experience in various industries and sectors appealed to us.  In fact, throughout his career, Charles has weathered through some incredibly difficult storms related to industry-specific issues as well as the broader macro-economic environment, so he's earned his stripes, and that experience will be invaluable.