Fran Shammo Named Verizon Business President

NEW YORK - Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) today named Fran Shammo president of Verizon Business, effective March 1.  Shammo, 48, will succeed John Killian, who last week was named executive vice president and chief financial officer for Verizon Communications.  Verizon Business provides advanced network solutions to large-business and government customers.

Verizon President and Chief Operating Officer Dennis Strigl said: "Fran has a history of operational excellence and an intimate knowledge of all aspects of the enterprise business.  His sound advice and disciplined approach to financial matters have greatly contributed to the success of Verizon Business since it was launched three years ago.  Fran's direct operational experience with Verizon Wireless also will help this part of Verizon generate profitable growth." 

Shammo, who has served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Verizon Business since its formation in January 2006, has 24 years of combined financial and operational experience. He previously served as president-West area for Verizon Wireless, responsible for the company's operations in the 13 states west of Colorado. Shammo also served as vice president and controller for Verizon Wireless.  Shammo joined Bell Atlantic Mobile in 1989 as general manager for accounting operations, and later held a series of positions of increasing responsibility in finance, mergers and acquisitions, logistics, facilities, regional operations and planning.

Shammo holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Philadelphia University, a master's degree in business administration from La Salle University, and he is a certified public accountant.  Shammo also sits on the board of Micrus Endovascular Corp. and is chairman of the audit committee.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 80 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 224,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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