Ralph Izzo, Ph.D., Chairman, President and CEO of PSEG Elected to CASA* Columbia Board

NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA Columbia) announced today that Ralph Izzo has been elected to its board of directors.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100923/CASALOGO)

Dr. Izzo is the chairman, president and chief executive officer of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG), one of the ten largest electric companies in the United States.

Izzo joined PSE&G in 1992 and was elected to several executive positions within PSEG's family of companies, including PSE&G senior vice president – utility operations, PSE&G vice president – appliance service, PSEG vice president - corporate planning. He was elected chairman and CEO in April 2007 and was named as the company's president and chief operating officer and a member of the board of directors of PSEG, in October 2006.

"We are honored to have Ralph Izzo join our board of directors. His outstanding leadership, business acumen, scientific background, and wide experience in general management, strategic planning, and finance will help strengthen CASA Columbia's goal of eliminating substance abuse and addiction in America and beyond," said Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA Columbia's chairman and founder. "As a parent Ralph understands and appreciates the importance and challenges of raising healthy, drug-free children and recognizes the need for us to move our nation's number one public health problem into our health care system."

"My family and my children are a top priority in my life and I am privileged to join such a diverse and distinguished board of directors who truly believe that family matters when it comes to keeping children drug free," said Dr. Izzo.

Dr. Izzo began his career as a research scientist at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. He has published or presented over 35 papers on magnetohydrodynamic modeling. Dr. Izzo received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in mechanical engineering and his Doctor of Philosophy degree in applied physics from Columbia University and a Master of Business Administration degree, with a concentration in finance from the Rutgers Graduate School of Management.

Izzo has received Honorary Degrees from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (Doctor of Science), Thomas A. Edison State College (Doctor of Humane Letters),and Bloomfield College (Doctor of Humane Letters). Dr. Izzo serves as chair of Rutgers University Board of Governors and on the board of directors for the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, the New Jersey Utilities Association, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations (INPO), and The Center for Energy Workforce Development. He is also a member of the Columbia University Engineering Board of Visitors.

CASA Columbia is the only national organization that brings together under one roof all the professional disciplines needed to study and combat abuse of all substances—alcohol, nicotine, illegal, prescription and performance enhancing drugs—in all sectors of society. Founded in 1992 by former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA Columbia and its staff of some 60 professionals aim to inform Americans of the economic and social costs of substance abuse and its impact on their lives, find out what works in prevention and treatment of this disease, and remove the stigma of substance abuse and replace shame and despair with hope.

CASA Columbia has issued 76 reports and white papers, published three books, conducted demonstration programs focused on children, families and schools in 36 states and Washington, D.C., held 19 conferences, and has been evaluating drug and alcohol treatment and prevention programs to determine what works best for what individuals. The most recent CASA Columbia book, How to Raise a Drug Free Kid: The Straight Dope for Parents by Joseph A. Califano, Jr., a practical, user friendly book of advice and information for parents, is widely available in paperback. For more information visit www.casacolumbia.org.

*The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University is neither affiliated with, nor sponsored by, the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (also known as "CASA”) or any of its member organizations, or any other organizations with the name of "CASA".

SOURCE The National Center on Addiction & Substance Abuse