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RUSSELL-NEWMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY. Rowe B. Newman (b. 1902), Frank Martino (b. 1929), Don Robinson (b. 1917), and Lura Kendrick (b. 1910)

Oral Histories

OHB 0032

NEWMAN, Rowe B. Founder and chairman of board, Russell-Newman Mfg. Company, Denton, Texas. Boyhood; early work experiences; education; store manager, Montgomery Ward; store manager, Butler Bros.; founding Russell-Newman, 1939; decision to specialize in lingerie; World War II; growth and expansion; financing methods; chain store accounts; decisions on designs; fabrics, dyes; government regulations; minority hiring; family members in business; employee relations; developing management team. MARTINO, Frank. President, Russell-Newman Mfg. Company. Family background; early work experiences; education; entry into clothing business; joining Russell-Newman as salesman; promotions to office manager, production manager; growth and expansion; new plant locations; launching separate business; incorporating into Russell-Newman; production, suppliers; employee relations; financing methods; government regulations; competition; family involvement in business; views on organized labor; typical workday; attitudes toward retirement. ROBINSON, Don. Executive vice-president, Russell-Newman Mfg. Company. Family background; early work experiences; education; Burr Stores; plant manager and then sales manager, Russell-Newman; policies toward marketing, credit; growth and expansion; design decisions; government regulations; typical workday; views toward retirement. KENDRICK, Lura. Chief designer (for thirty years), Russell-Newman Mfg. Company. Family background; education; employment at Russell’s Department Store; art teacher at Texas Woman’s University; part-time garment designer for Russell-Newman; comments on fabrics, dyes; consumer preferences; cost consciousness in design; chain stores; design procedures; evolution of design department.
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