Bell Atlantic Names Robert Woltz State President

Bell Atlantic Names Robert Woltz State President

Assumes Overall Responsibility for Virginia

June 30, 2000

RICHMOND, Va. -- Bell Atlantic, soon to complete its merger with GTE Corp. and become Verizon Communications, has selected Robert W. Woltz Jr. to become state president in Virginia. Woltz has served as acting president since the retirement of Hugh Stallard earlier this year. The appointment is effective upon completion of the Bell Atlantic-GTE merger.

As state president Woltz assumes overall responsibility for all corporate interests for the company in Virginia.

"Robert is a proven leader in our business," said Geoff Gould, who has been named senior vice president for state and local relations at Verizon. "He will continue to guide our company through a constantly changing competitive and regulatory environment. Robert is the right person for our Virginia operations."

A native Virginian who grew up in Clarksville, Woltz joined C&P Telephone of Virginia in 1971. He has gained experience in network services, human resources, public communications and marketing operations. In 1991, Woltz worked with Bell Atlantic International in Oslo, Norway, helping to develop the company's wireless portfolio.

He returned to Virginia and, in 1993, was named vice president of external affairs. Woltz was named acting president and CEO upon Stallard's retirement.

An active member of the community, Woltz serves in Gubernatorial appointed positions on the Wireless E911 State Board, the Digital Opportunities Task Force, the Joint Subcommittee to study the State Corporation Commission, and the Chief Information Officer Advisory Board. He also serves on the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Advisory Board. He is immediate past Chairman of the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce and the Richmond Forum, and a past President of the Virginia Telecommunications Industry Association. Woltz is also a board member of the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy and the YMCA of Greater Richmond.

Woltz earned a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Hampden-Sydney College in 1971 with highest distinction. He and his wife Pam live in Chesterfield County with their two children, Jaime and Jeremy.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information industry. With more than 44 million telephone access lines and more than 20 million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, market leaders in wireless services and the world's largest publishers of directory information. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets, with operations and investments in 23 countries.