David Jefferson, President and CEO of JNET Communications and Board Member, SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Tells Graduates to Live the Inspired Life

Business Leader, Pioneer and Role Model for Young Men and Women Returns to Alma Mater to Address 6,000 at Grambling State University Commencement

New York, NY (PRWEB) May 26, 2005 -- David Jefferson, President and CEO of JNET Communications, LLC and member of SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc.s board of directors, delivered the keynote speech at Grambling State Universitys commencement ceremonies Sunday, where he addressed several hundred graduates and their families on the importance of perseverance in achieving ones dreams.

The commencement took place in the Eddie G. Robinson Stadium on the Universitys campus in Grambling, Louisiana. Since its founding in 1901, Grambling State University has been known as one of the most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Mr. Jefferson graduated from the university in 1971 with a bachelors degree in accounting.

Both JNET, a technology services holding company, and SBLI USA and its family of companies, which are financial services companies dedicated to the financial empowerment of all people, are headquartered in New York.

I want to share with you my 'Seven Biblical Steps to Achieving Your Dreams and Aspirations," said Mr. Jefferson. The seven steps included: aspiration, inspiration, preparation, perspiration, realization, evaluation and celebration. It is these steps that guided me from the dusty roads of Doyline, to the halls of Grambling University, to further professional and personal success," he said.

Born in Doyline, Louisiana, the tenth of fifteen children, Mr. Jefferson furthered his education by obtaining a masters degree in business administration from the University of Dayton, a Juris Doctor from Capital University and a masters of divinity from Drew University. Additionally, he was awarded a fellowship to attend the prestigious Sloan Fellows Program" at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned a master of science in management.

Today, with your families, we celebrate your accomplishments," said Mr. Jefferson, but do not put a period on this celebration. If you continue to reach for your dreams and aspirations, as my parents inspired me to do, more celebrations lie ahead. Live the inspired life and discover that a good education is your passport to achieve great things."

Horace Judson, president of Gambling State University, said: It is a pleasure to have someone of Mr. Jeffersons stature to address the graduating class. He embodies the true Grambling spirit and exemplifies what a real Gramblinite should be. It is important for these young people, as they prepare to enter their chosen professions, to see first-hand the benefits of a Grambling education."

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Mr. Jefferson makes significant contributions to his community as a pastor and civic leader. Currently, he serves as director and co-chair of 1,000 Churches Connected Initiative and as senior pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Church of Newark, a 5,000 member congregation with an active agenda of inner city socio-economic issues. He also works with such highly visible organizations as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Urban League, Rev. Jesse Jacksons Rainbow Push Coalition and the Boys and Girls Club of Newark. Mr. Jefferson is a member of the New Jersey Bar and American Bar Associations, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

We are proud of the indelible mark Mr. Jefferson has made in this country as an outstanding entrepreneur, pastor and community leader," said Mr. Judson.

Mr. Jefferson currently serves as president and CEO of JNET Communications, which includes among its family of companies Vitel Communications and ServiCom LLC. Prior to his association with JNET, Mr. Jefferson worked for AT&T for over 30 years.

Mr. Jefferson and his wife, the former Linda Mouton of Jennings, Louisiana, reside in Warren, New Jersey and are the proud parents of four children.

About SBLI USA
SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. is a financial services company that is committed to value-conscious consumers. The company is dedicated to building lifelong relationships with customers and empowering them with the education and tools they need to take control of their financial destinies.

SBLI USA and its subsidiaries are licensed in 49 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. With more than $17 billion of insurance in force, $1.5 billion in assets, $120 million in surplus capital, 250 employees and over 400,000 customers, the Company is committed to offering affordable, flexible and easy-to-access products through a variety of integrated channels, including direct mail, telemarketing, a bilingual Web site, licensed agents, and new Customer Centers, as it expands nationally.

SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. is the parent company to SBLI USA Holdings, Inc., which owns subsidiary companies S.USA Life Insurance Company, Inc., and SBLI USA Diversified Services Company, Inc.

Additional information about SBLI USA products and services can be found at www.sbliusa.com/mc.

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