Frederick John LaVergne grew up in West Long Branch, New Jersey, only a few blocks from

Monmouth University.
He studied Biology at Stockton University, and microbiology/molecular genetics at the Selman
Waksman Institute of Microbiology at Rutgers University. He supported his studies as a research
and teaching specialist, doing research in ovarian cancer in the OB/GYN department at Robert
Wood Johnson Medical School, and helped construct the States first comprehensive database of
birth defects and genetic disorders in neonates, in cooperation with the Genetic Counseling Unit
in Newark, a project conducted with the intention of identifying local environmental factors as a
cause of specific birth defects.
His strong background in environmental science goes back to his years in Scouting, and his
choice of undergraduate college. While a student at Stockton University (then Stockton State
College), a school well known for its Natural Sciences programs, Fred worked in many
capacities, from serving with the Stockton Center for Environmental Research, to working as a
field instructor in marine science, environmental science, and geology, and a lab instructor and
classroom tutor in biology, physics, and chemistry. His experience was such that, on more than
one occasion, he was tapped to assist in directing lab sections for courses in which he was
enrolled.
Fred also served on the NAMS (Natural and Mathematical Sciences Program) Faculty Review
Board. He returns to Stockton every spring to serve as a judge in the New Jersey Shore Science
Foundations Science Fair, held at Stockton for over 30 years.
While at Stockton, Fred, an athlete and avid soccer player in his youth, co-founded and served as
the first coach of the Stockton Womens Soccer Club, (SWSC) now known throughout the
NCAA as the fiercely competitive Lady Ospreys. Freds efforts at promoting womens sports
at Stockton were a way of honoring a lifelong friend and mentor, the legendary Nancy Williams,
who was responsible in large part for the present equality in Interscholastic and Collegiate sports.
His efforts, leveraged with those of his friends, influenced Stocktons then President, Vera King
Farris, to move forward on an NCAA bid for the club.
Rarely working only one job, even while a student, Fred also served as an analytical chemist at a
large NJ Generic Pharmaceutical Company, WestWard Pharmaceuticals where he became
fluent in the compliance requirements and regulations in that industry. His familiarity with water
quality testing and instrumental analysis was a large part of the firms decision to hire him, and

he was able to streamline many of their outdated processes to make compliance easier to track.
Mr. LaVergne has served his community most visibly as an Assistant Scoutmaster and
Scoutmaster in Delancos Troop 19 for many years, teaching outdoor skills and a love for our
natural environment to many impressionable young men. His son, an Eagle Scout, is presently
studying Environmental Science at Stockton University. Fred also helped draft the initial
proposal, First Year to First Class a program of outings and activities since shared and
adapted by many other troops, and is an archery instructor of some repute.
Fred is married to his wife of 26 years, Mary L. LaVergne, who presently serves as a parent
educator for Burlington Countys PAT program (Parents as Teachers). Her expertise in Early
Childhood Development led her to many similar roles since graduating from Stockton, where
they met. They were married in their home in a Methodist service, but Mary and their five
children are communicants at St. Peters R.C. Church in Riverside now part of the Jesus, the
Good Shepherd parish. Fred, a lifelong Methodist, is a member of the Congregation in his home
town, in the oldest Methodist Church in New Jersey.
Their older three daughters all graduated with high honors Kate, the oldest, also graduated
from Stockton University, Anne, from Rowan University, and Jeanne-Marie (Jamie), from
Rutgers University. Jamie is now in graduate study at Northwestern University in Chicago. Their
youngest child, Megan, is a sophomore at Riverside High School, and shows similar academic
promise. As one might imagine, with a wife and four daughters, Freds advocacy for womens
rights can be said as written.
When Mary and Fred decided to marry and raise a family, the practical unreality of a Delanco to
Newark, NJ commute on an educators salary changed the course of his professional career.
While seeking a research position in Philadelphia, he accepted a temporary job in auto sales,
and discovered that he enjoyed it, and that it, frankly, paid far better than teaching or research.
With bills to pay and diapers to buy, Fred threw himself into becoming the very best at his new
career. He approached the position as a breaker of stereotypes, and was highly successful
recognized as a leader in the industry both in sales volume and consumer satisfaction.
Through consultative selling, Fred became a trusted advisor to hundreds of families in
Burlington County and elsewhere. Put simply, he was successful because he LISTENED to his
clients before instructing them. He simultaneously applied these habits to an insurance practice
with Mutual of Omaha, and to the ownership and operation of a Net Branch for Mid Atlantic
Capital in Moorestown, and, later, for Barclay Funding Group of Princeton as a residential

mortgage banker/broker, and as owner of a small commercial lending brokerage.

Area attorneys, CPAs, Tax Accountants, and Financial Advisors quickly learned to send their
most difficult situations to LaVergne, as his comprehensive knowledge of underwriting
guidelines from over 60 investors allowed him solve problems other lenders merely brushed off
as not worth their time. His expertise in construction and construction lending made him
valuable even to his competitors. He also taught alternative credit strategies for FHA and HMFA
borrowers with a local housing advocacy group, and did background underwriting for several
Habitat for Humanity projects around the State. He also supported the efforts of a strong
network of purchase agents in the Real Estate Industry, where he built a reputation for straight
talk and prompt delivery on his promises.
Injuries from a severe auto accident in 2006, combined with the 2007 Mortgage crisis and a
second auto accident in 2008, forced a hard decision. To focus on recovery from his injuries,
Fred chose to cease operations in Moorestown and place his loan officers all but one, who
retired permanently with other concerns. While he recovered, he continued to work in and
serve that industry, now as a loan officer, rather than as a manager of his own operation. A very
positive side-effect to that lessening of responsibilities was the sudden availability of time for his
family, and to seek where he might apply his experience and energy to best serve his community.

Dissatisfied with his representation in Trenton and Washington, Fred began to take a stronger
interest in the political process. With an incisive underwriters eye, he saw many issues that
could be remedied if it werent for the absence of political will.
Never a shrinking violet, Fred has been a very visible member of the Third Congressional
District Community, often appearing at more than one Townships council meetings in a single
evening when issues warrant his direct attention, or as an invited speaker at several area political
organizations, on issues as broad-ranging as bond reform and taxation to environmental
protection, to alternative energy strategies. Fred leverages a life-long love of learning, described
by an erstwhile political opponent as a Swiss Army Knife of knowledge and information.