NEW YORK — Asbury Automotive Group Inc., one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., announced that Juanita T. James has been appointed to the Company's board of directors. The appointment, which is effective immediately, brings the size of Asbury's board to 11 members.

"We are very pleased to welcome Juanita to Asbury's board," said Charles R. Oglesby, Asbury's president and CEO. "She brings with her an exceptional breadth of experience from major corporations in positions ranging from direct marketing and communications to human resources and finance. We are confident that Juanita will add a valuable new perspective to our team."

Ms. James is currently chief communications officer for Pitney Bowes Inc., with broad responsibility for the company's integrated marketing strategy, emerging media strategy and development, brand management, public/media and investor relations, and corporate philanthropy. Before joining Pitney Bowes in 1999, she was with Doubleday Direct Inc., where she was executive vice president-marketing and editorial. Earlier in her career, Ms. James spent 20 years with Time Warner Inc., progressing through a series of senior positions at Time Life Libraries and Book-of-the-Month Club. She served as a director of The Rouse Company for 15 years prior to its acquisition by General Growth Properties.

Ms. James holds a master's degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Business Program, and earned her bachelor's degree from Princeton University.