Mr. Raphael Benaroya was elected Chairman of the Boys Town Jerusalem Foundation of America in 2000. He succeeded Josh S. Weston who had served in that position for 16 years. Prior to his election, Mr. Benaroya was a Vice President and Member of the Board.

Mr. Benaroya earned both a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota before going on to Executive Studies at the Harvard Business School.

Currently, Mr. Benaroya is the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of United Retail Group, Inc., a leading specialty retailer of women's apparel and accessories. Founded in 1987, United Retail Group Inc. has grown to a major enterprise with 5,000 employees, operating 500 stores in malls and shopping centers in 36 States and in the District of Columbia. It operates a global sourcing and production network in 18 countries. United Retail Group, Inc., has been publicly traded since 1992.

Mr. Benaroya takes pride in being active within his community on a local, national and international level. His many civic duties include: Member of Senior Advisory Group to Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense - Defense Reform Initiative; Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Business Executives for National Security (BENS). Mr. Benaroya led delegation visits to both Israel's Department of Defense and India's Ministry of Defense for BENS, as well as leading a Humanitarian Mission to Cuba. His varied civic activities also include the Board of Directors, National Retail Federation Board; Board of Advisors, The Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University; and Commissioner, New Jersey Governor's Israel Commission.

Among Mr. Benaroya's varied commendations are a Dwight D. Eisenhower Award, for Business Executives for National Security, as well as a Medal Decoration, from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Mr. Benaroya regularly speaks on business issues to Universities and Agencies across the country, including Ohio State University, Montclair State University, United States Naval Post Graduate School, Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and The United States Department of Defense.

Mr. Benaroya currently resides in New Jersey. He and his wife Linda are the parents of four children, and one grandchild.

Chairman Raphael Benaroya, presides at an executive briefing at Boys Town in Jerusalem.

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