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Carl A. Boger Jr. Professor, Clinton L. Rappole Distinguished Chair

Education
B.S., M.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Ph.D. in Education Administration, Purdue University.

Expertise & Research Interests

  • Luxury Branding & China's Luxury Market
  • Brand Value & Extension
  • Cultural & Millennial Influence on Brands

Education

Carl A. Boger, Jr. is the Clinton Rappole Endowed Chair in the Conrad N. Hilton College at the University of Houston.  Known for a tireless work ethic, energetic presentation, and hands-on approach to solve both branding issues as well as identification of consumer groups by using innovative marketing techniques, such as applying the concepts of the Brand Identity Prism to flush out the brand characteristics that are important to consumers and representing the brand.  He also uses a Semiotic Square approach to identify hidden consumer groups that would otherwise go unnoticed. 

Carl’s ability to assess complex situations and identify appropriate solutions underscores his ability to gain meaningful insight and follow up with thorough analysis. He is particularly skilled at group facilitation and enjoys forging consensus among people with diverging ideas and opinions.  He has consulted with the United Nations, USAID, and ACDI/VOCA on several international projects in Southeast Asia, Africa, Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central America.

By combining 15 years of industry experience by working as a general manager and corporate trainer for PepsiCo Foodservice Division and General Foods as well as owning his own foodservice establishment, he is able to transcend theory into practical solutions.

For 20 years, Carl held various administrative positions in higher education at top universities within the United States, which included the University of Houston, University of South Carolina, University of Wisconsin, and Ivy Tech State College.  Currently, he is actively involved in research and consulting.  His research in the areas of luxury branding, service management, strategic positioning, and social justice. Currently, he has over 50 publications in leading journals and industry publications.

He is known as a thought-leader by his peers because he created a global communication tool for hospitality educators globally.  Today, his communication platform is used by most universities with hospitality and tourism programs to recruit faculty, administrators, and staff while also sharing information that would be beneficial to the discipline.  The ICHIRE Association, which represents the hospitality and tourism discipline globally, awarded him the 2014 “McCool Breakthrough Award” for creating the Global Hospitality Educators Network.

Carl credits his professional success to a loving wife, Sunny, and mentors who supported him throughout his career.