NASDAQ Announces New Regional Managing Director - Cris Farrell Appointed To Provide Services And Trading Support To Houston's Growing Base Of NASDAQ Listed Companies

The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.("NASDAQ®") (Nasdaq:NDAQ) announced today that Cris Farrell has been appointed as Managing Director of NASDAQ's Corporate Client Group, based in Houston, Texas. As the third largest state, both in total number of companies and market capitalization for all of NASDAQ, the newly created position will focus on servicing local Houston-based issuers. Ms. Farrell's key responsibilities include providing market information to interpret trading, performance data, and an array of product and services such as visibility platforms.

"Due to the growth of business in the Houston area and throughout Texas, NASDAQ recognizes that clients will need more hands-on support.Given her diverse background and close proximity to our companies in the region, Cris will play a vital role in ensuring the highest quality service," said Bruce Aust, Executive Vice President, NASDAQ Corporate Client Group.

Houston is currently home to 64 NASDAQ-listed companies, which draw from a diverse group of industries including information technology, health care, materials, consumer, energy, industrials and financial. In addition, NASDAQ continues to gain market share in the region, having listed 29 of the 49 Texas-based Initial Public Offerings since 2003.
There are a total of 165 NASDAQ listed companies in all of Texas.

A native Houstonian, Ms. Farrell brings 12 years of experience in the information technology and financial services industry. She comes to NASDAQ from a leading software company where she provided solutions around Y2k, HIPPA, and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. She will report to NASDAQ's Central Region Vice President, Demetrios Skalkotos.