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CASA of Luzerne County is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to its board of directors.
Joining the board are Julie Bean, Mike Murray, Lindsay Bezick and Anthony Melf.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Bean, Mr. Murray, Ms. Bezick and Mr. Melf to CASA of Luzerne County’s Board of Directors,” Board President Christina Taylor said. “Collectively, these four professionals bring a range of valuable expertise to CASA’s board.”
“We are grateful for their commitment to help Luzerne County’s children and confident that they will make lasting contributions to advance CASA’s work throughout our community,” Taylor added.
New members
• Julie Bean is the dean of admissions and financial aid at Wyoming Seminary. Bean has a well-rounded career in both education and psychotherapy and is a second-year doctoral student at Wilkes University, where she is working toward her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.
She holds bachelor of science degrees in both education and psychology from Emmanuel College and a Master’s Degree in clinical mental health counseling from Lesley University.
Bean and her husband, Mike, are parents to two children and a golden retriever.
• Mike Murray is the president and publisher of the Times Leader Media Group. In addition to his extensive career in print and digital media, Murray has been a consistent community leader for promoting the resurgence of the City of Wilkes-Barre.
He has also been instrumental in developing and leading consumer-related services and has been nationally recognized for his work in the media industry.
Murray serves as a board member of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, the Diamond City Partnership, and the Pennsylvania News Media Association. He is married with four children and six grandchildren.
• Lindsay Bezick is the chief operating officer and vice president of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce.
Before joining the staff at the Chamber in 2016, Ms. Bezick held positions at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Genettti Hotel and Conference Center.
She is actively involved in her community and dedicates her time to a number of local organizations, including the United Way of Wyoming Valley, the Wilkes-Barre YMCA, Northeast Sight Services, The Osterhout Library, and the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals.
Bezick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in business from LaSalle University.
• Anthony Melf is an instructor and career navigator with EDSI Solutions at PA CareerLink of Luzerne County in Wilkes-Barre.
A proud native of Wilkes-Barre, Melf uses his professional skills to help others learn employability skills and provides case management services to job seekers. His belief in the power of using one’s voice to effect positive change has led Melf to graciously volunteer his time with several organizations and committees in Northeastern Pennsylvania, including as an ambassador with the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce and the NEPA Rainbow Alliance.
Melf holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in professional writing and communications from King’s College.
CASA’s role
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Luzerne County seeks to provide a qualified and compassionate volunteer advocate to every abused and neglected child in Luzerne County to ensure their right to a safe, nurturing, and permanent home is met.
Currently, 440 Luzerne County children are in foster care.
Those interested in becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate are encouraged to attend an information session on Monday, Nov. 19, at 5:30 p.m.
Please call the CASA office at (570) 855-2247 or visit luzernecasa.org to learn more about becoming a volunteer or to sign up for November’s info session.