Felix Sanchez Named Verizon's Director of Community Affairs for Tri-County Area

NEW YORK - Felix Sanchez, currently Verizon's director of Customer Outreach and Education for the company's mid-state area, will assume the responsibilities of Community and Government Affairs and will administer Verizon Foundation's corporate philanthropy program for the area. He replaces Richard Biondi, who left the company to continue his career in the health-care industry at the White Plains Hospital Center.

Verizon's mid-state area includes Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties in New York, as well as Greenwich, Conn.

"Felix has distinguished himself as a great advocate for our customers," said James Joedecke, Verizon president for the company's Capital Region. "His participation in community activities helps to bring the Verizon message to our customers. At the same time, Felix helps voice the cares and concerns of the mid-state community to Verizon."

Sanchez, a Westchester resident, began with Verizon in 1984. He has held several assignments in government affairs, public relations and community relations. Fluent in Spanish, he has served on the boards of several community- and county-based organizations, including the Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (past president) and the Westchester/Putnam Workforce Investment Board. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Economics from Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York. He also holds a law degree from Boston College School of Law, and is a member of the New York State Bar.

Biondi began his career with Verizon in 1995. He has a broad-based background, having worked in management positions in the health care, education, government, communications and not-for-profit sectors over his 35-year career. Before coming to Verizon, he worked for New York Medical College, Kraft Foods and Iona College. He has served on the boards of several community- and business-related organizations.

"Rich has a long record of involvement with groups and agencies in the tri-county area," said Joedecke. "He has been instrumental in many - if not all - of the decisions that affect our customers in this area. Anyone who knows about Verizon's operations in the three counties and Greenwich, knows Rich. We wish him much success in his new endeavors."

A graduate of Iona College, he earned a Masters of Public Administration from the Rockefeller School of Public Affairs at the State University of New York at Albany.

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 128.5 million access line equivalents and 28.7 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with 256,000 employees and approximately $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.