Verizon Business Announces New Structure and Leadership Team for International Business

READING, England - Verizon Business, the premier provider of advanced global communications and information technology (IT) solutions, today announced a new structure and leadership team for its international business. Rory Cole will lead the international team as chief operating officer.

"The Verizon Business International leadership team will provide superior service by creating a best-in-class, global organization," said John Killian, president of Verizon Business. "We're establishing clear accountability focused on customers wherever they do business.

"These leaders are committed to leveraging the powerful heritage of in-country expertise with the world-class, global-service experience and solutions capability of Verizon Business."

The Verizon Business International team, headquartered in Reading, will lead three international regions: Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas/Emerging Markets. The team consists of eight members representing Sales and Service, Marketing, Operations and Technology, Finance, Information Technology, Legal and Regulatory, Human Resources and Communications. In addition to leading Sales and Service, Cole also will act as chief operating officer. Each of the Verizon Business International leaders will report to his executive counterpart in the Verizon Business leadership group headed by Killian.

In addition to Cole, formerly chief financial officer for MCI for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, other members of the new international leadership team are: John Irvine, Marketing, formerly head of Marketing and Business Solutions for MCI in Europe; Mark Kearns, Finance, formerly head of consolidations and reporting for Verizon Communications; Steve Hewson, Operations and Technology, formerly head of Operations and Technology for MCI in Europe; Mike Young, Information Technology, formerly head of Information Technology for MCI internationally; Craig Silliman, Legal and Regulatory, formerly head of Legal and Regulatory for MCI internationally; Trevor Severgnini, Human Resources, formerly head of Human Resources for MCI in Europe; and Edwart Lichtenauer, Communications, formerly head of Communications for MCI in Europe. These appointments are effective immediately, and both Kearns and Silliman will be relocating to England to join the rest of the team in Reading.

"Verizon Business is committed to strengthening and expanding its global capabilities, operating effectiveness, business performance and customer satisfaction worldwide," said Wayne Huyard, executive vice president of global sales and service. "With today's announcement, we have the structure and leadership team to deliver world-class service and solutions to our international customers."

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a leading provider of advanced communications and information technology (IT) solutions to large business and government customers worldwide. Combining unsurpassed global network reach with advanced technology and professional service capabilities, Verizon Business delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com.

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