NEW YORK - William E. Pallone, president of Verizon Airfone Inc., has announced plans to retire, effective Saturday (May 31).
Since 2000, Pallone has had responsibility for all business operations including engineering, product development, sales and marketing, finance and human resources for the airborne telecommunications company. Airfone led the industry in providing voice, news, entertainment and messaging services to in-flight customers.
"Time and again, Bill proved himself to be a motivational leader and an incisive negotiator," said Dan Petri, president of Verizon International. "He has been a steady guide for the teams he has led during a transformational period in our business. We thank Bill for his many contributions to Verizon and wish him all the best."
Pallone began his career with the former GTE Corp., a predecessor company of Verizon, in 1976 and has held a number of positions of increasing responsibility in the financial, operations and regulatory groups. He was named vice president of national billing and operations planning in 1998 and has held a variety of leadership positions since then.
"It's been a pleasure working with so many wonderful and interesting people over the years," Pallone said. "I take away many very fond memories, and I wish great personal and professional success to all of my former teammates."
Pallone earned both a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and a master's degree in business administration from Indiana University.
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 67 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 employed a diverse workforce of approximately 232,000 as of the end of the first quarter 2008 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
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