Marie C. Johns to Retire from Verizon After 21 Years of Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. - After 21 years of service that included heading Verizon's nearly $700 million operation in the nation's capital, Marie C. Johns will retire effective Feb. 29. A successor will be named shortly.

"As president of Verizon Washington, D.C., Marie has worked tirelessly for our customers, our employees and our communities," said Colleen A. McCloskey, Verizon's senior vice president of State Public Policy and External Affairs. "Marie's leadership, determination and in-depth knowledge of the Washington marketplace have been invaluable. We thank Marie for her many contributions to Verizon and wish her all the best in her retirement."

Johns began her telecommunications career with Indiana Bell in 1983 and joined Bell Atlantic in 1985 as a staff supervisor in the forecasting group. She held several positions of increasing responsibility in the Washington area before being appointed president and CEO of Bell Atlantic-Washington, D.C., in April, 1998. This company became Verizon Washington, D.C., after the Bell Atlantic-GTE merger in June 2000.

Throughout her career, Johns provided leadership in a wide range of professional, civic and cultural organizations and initiatives. She has received over 100 awards during her long-standing career in recognition of her achievements.

Under her leadership, Verizon obtained a $10 million grant for D.C. public schools to implement a school-to-careers reform initiative. Johns also spearheaded a Verizon-sponsored program called SEEDS (Students Educated for Economic Development Success) that trains out-of-school youth for information-technology jobs. Johns also served as director of a nonprofit organization that provided funding for every D.C. public school and library to install cabling for high-speed Internet connections and local computer networks.

Johns was one of the forces behind the formation of the Washington D.C. Technology Council, where she served as founding chairperson. She is a federal appointee to the U.S. Department of Energy's Electricity Advisory Board and a mayoral appointee to the National Capital Revitalization Corporation, a public/private enterprise that facilitates revitalization in underserved D.C. neighborhoods. She has served as chair of the DC Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Washington and YMCA of the National Capital Region.

Johns is a trustee of Howard University and a member of the board of directors of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce, the Federal City Council and the Economic Club of Washington. She also is a member of the board of advisors of Adonix Inc. and the International Women's Forum.

Johns earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Administration degrees from Indiana University, and she completed graduate management studies at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia.

"I leave Verizon with a tremendous sense of pride and gratitude," Johns said. "I'm proud to have been part of a world-class corporation, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have helped it grow. I will miss working with the most talented, committed and caring people anywhere on the planet."

Johns will continue to be an active member of Washington's community.

A Fortune 10 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $67 billion in revenues. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with more than 139 million access line equivalents and 36 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is the third largest long-distance carrier for U.S. consumers, with nearly 16 million long-distance lines. The company is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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