Newark’s St. Benedict’s Prep has added two prominent New Jersey executives to its board of trustees, the school announced Thursday.
Kevin Cummings, chairman and CEO of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank, and Eduardo Lara, vice president of marketing and product development at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, have joined the board, Headmaster Fr. Edwin Leahy and board Chairman William H. Connolly Jr. said in a news release.
“We are delighted to have Ed Lara’s marketing expertise and commitment to the Newark community extend to St. Benedict’s Prep,” Connolly said in a prepared statement. “Kevin, one of the most prominent bankers in the metropolitan area, brings invaluable leadership, banking skills and community involvement to us. We are grateful to both of them.”
Lara said he is pleased to represent Newark-based Horizon on the board.
“Horizon BCBSNJ has been a longtime supporter of St. Benedict’s Prep and its mission of helping young men and women in Newark achieve their full potential,” he said in a statement. “I am privileged to represent our company, and I look forward to not only helping out the faculty, staff and students in their mission, but to also learning from the St. Benedict’s community.”
Cummings echoed his comments.
“I am honored to be invited to serve on St. Benedict’s board of trustees and to join an exceptional group of business, civic and academic leaders to help guide the school as it moves ahead,” he said in a statement. “Investors Bank and St. Benedict’s Prep share a similar philosophy about creating a positive environment that provides intellectually motivated individuals opportunities to develop their full range of talents. St. Benedict’s is a remarkable school which does the heavy lifting in our communities by developing and shaping our next generation of leaders.”
St. Benedict’s Chief Advancement Officer Michael Fazio was pleased to note the experience both men bring to the board.
“It has been a priority for St. Benedict’s Prep to recruit trustees — both alumni and friends — who believe deeply in our mission, our thought-shapers in our state and region, and who exemplify the type of leaders our students are capable of becoming,” he said in a statement. “We are so very fortunate that Kevin and Ed have agreed to serve ‘The Hive.’”
