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SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT
FOLSOM, N.J. -- Charles Biscieglia, chairman, president and CEO of South Jersey Industries, Inc. (NYSE:SJI) announced the election of Edward J. Graham, effective January 1, 2003 as president and chief operating officer of SJI. Graham was also elected as president of South Jersey Gas Company, SJI’s regulated natural gas utility, and as a member of its Board of Directors. Biscieglia said, "Over the last few years, we have made a number of organizational changes as part of an orderly, structured succession planning process designed to ensure that the momentum we've built over the past four years will continue to drive successful performance in the years ahead. The strategy we formulated in the late 1990's has served us well and we have worked very hard to earn our position as the region's premier energy provider. Ed has been a critical element in this success story, bringing marginal energy services business lines to a point where, year after year, they are valuable contributors to SJI's financial prosperity. The Board felt very strongly that the interests of shareholders are best served when leadership is developed and groomed from within a successful organization. We are confident that Ed's vision, knowledge, experience and results-oriented approach will ensure the company's future growth and performance."
"I'm very pleased and honored
that the Board has shown confidence in my ability to assume this new role. I
recognize that I am taking on a higher level of responsibility and leadership
for the company. I do so with the support of a strong management team, a talented
and seasoned workforce and a personal commitment to meeting the expectations
of customers, shareholders, employees and the community. It's a challenge I'm
truly looking forward to," said Graham.
Graham joined SJI in 1981 and held various professional and managerial positions
prior to his election as an officer of South Jersey Gas Company in 1988 and
his election as president of South Jersey Energy in 1998.
He was elected as a director of South
Jersey Energy in May 2000. Graham currently serves as executive vice president
and chief operating officer of SJI and president of Marina Energy LLC, South
Jersey Resources Group, LLC and South Jersey Energy Company.
Graham holds an MBA in finance and investment from Drexel University and presently serves as treasurer of the Rowan College Foundation Board. He makes his home in Sewell with his wife, Jane and their children, Kelsey, Stefany and Kevin.
South Jersey Industries (NYSE:SJI) is an energy services holding company for South Jersey Gas, South Jersey Energy, South Jersey Resources Group, LLC and Marina Energy LLC. Visit www.sjindustries.com for more information about SJI and its subsidiaries.
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