LITTLE FALLS, NJ - July 26, 2006 - Laura Perry Bencivenga of Short Hills, NJ, was recently appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of Essex County CASA. CASA--Court Appointed Special Advocates--is an independent, court-authorized, non-profit organization, which works through trained volunteers to promote the welfare of foster children in Essex County. CASA serves as a “child’s voice in court,” working to insure that needed services are made available while helping to move the child toward a safe and permanent home. One of more than 900 CASA programs nationwide, Essex County CASA served 587 of the 2,837 foster children in Essex County as of July 1, 2006.

Ms. Bencivenga joined Essex County CASA in September 2005 as a volunteer Child Advocate. In addition to her work as an Advocate for CASA, she has been actively involved in fundraising efforts for the organization. Ms. Bencivenga was voted in as a Board member in May 2006 and began her three-year term in July. She will be serving on the Corporate Outreach and Public Relations committees.

With more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Ms. Bencivenga is currently the Vice President of Client Services for Sentrx, a provider of drug safety services for the biopharmaceutical industry, based in Little Falls, NJ,. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, the Community Foodbank of New Jersey, and the Community Congregational Church of Short Hills. Ms. Bencivenga lives in Short Hills, NJ, with her husband and two daughters.

For more information about Essex County CASA, visit its website at www.casaessex.org.