Fran Keeth, Shell Executive Vice President, to Join Verizon Board of Directors
NEW YORK -- Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) today announced the election of Fran Keeth, Executive Vice President for Royal Dutch Shell, to the Verizon Board of Directors, effective Dec. 7.
"Fran Keeth has a strong background in both finance and operations, domestically and globally, and we look forward to the experience and insights she will bring to the Verizon Board," said Ivan Seidenberg, Verizon chairman and CEO.
The addition of Keeth will bring Verizon's total board membership to 14.
Keeth currently leads Shell's global Chemicals business, and this summer she announced plans to retire from the company by year-end.
Keeth joined Shell Oil Company in 1970, where she held positions of increasing responsibility. In 1992, she moved to London to handle a series of assignments in Shell International Petroleum Company as Deputy Group Controller, Area Coordinator for the Far East, and Finance Manager, Oil Products.
In 1996, she left Shell to join Mobil Corporation as Controller and Principal Accounting Officer, and returned to Shell in 1997, assuming the position of Executive Vice President, Finance and Business Systems, for Shell Chemical LP, a U.S. operating company. In 2001, she assumed the global position of Vice President, Customer Fulfillment and Product Business Units, Shell Chemicals Ltd., along with the regional role of President and CEO, Shell Chemical LP.
In January 2005, Keeth was appointed Executive Vice President, Chemicals, retaining her regional role as President of Shell Chemical LP. In July 2006, Keeth relinquished her regional position in order to focus entirely on her global accountabilities.
Keeth holds a bachelor's degree in accounting, and M.B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Houston. She is on the board of the American Chemistry Council, where she chairs the board committee on Responsible Care. She also serves on the boards of the International Council of Chemical Associations and Arrow Electronics Inc.