INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ An Indiana native who's held top positions at fashion houses including Donna Karan and Burberry is taking on a new challenge as a top executive at Apple.
 
New Palestine native Angela Ahrendts will become senior vice president of expansion plans and retail operation for the computer company.
 
Purdue University retail professor Richard Feinberg tells The Indianapolis Star that Ahrendts is one of the top five retail leaders in the country. He says Apple's selection of her is an “inspired choice.''
 
The 53-year-old Ahrendts studied fashion, design and merchandising at Ball State University but left one class short of a degree after visiting design studios in New York.

Governor Mike Pence issued the following statement regarding the selection of Ahrendts to be Apple’s senior vice president,
 
“If you’re looking for a dynamic new member for your business who will bring innovation to the marketplace, hire a Hoosier. That’s exactly what Apple did when it selected Indiana native Angela Ahrendts as its newest senior executive. I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Angela Ahrendts for her success in revolutionizing fashion merchandising and her new assignment at Apple. A New Palestine native, Angela’s aspirations took her to Ball State University and then around the world. She is an inspiration to other Hoosiers who dream big and are ready to reach for the heights in retail technology. Indiana is a state that works for business because Hoosiers are leading the way.”