Verizon Employees Receive Indiana Telecommunications Association Awards

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- The Indiana Telecommunications Association (ITA) recently recognized Kathy Adams and Lou Mize of Verizon's Public Policy and External Affairs Department in Indiana for the contributions each has made to the industry. Adams and Mize accepted their awards on June 20 at the ITA's Annual Convention.

Mize, specialist - Regulatory for Verizon in Indianapolis, was honored with the 2002 Distinguished Service Award, the oldest and most prestigious ITA award given. In 1958, the ITA Board of Directors voted to establish the Telephone Man of the Year Award to recognize outstanding achievements on behalf of the Indiana telecommunications industry and community affairs. In 1972, the name of the award was changed to the Distinguished Service Award. Mize was recognized for his expertise in the industry, his long career in Indiana and his consistent willingness to help anyone with a problem or question.

Adams, senior staff consultant - Regulatory for Verizon in Fort Wayne, received the 2002 Pacesetter Award for her work with the industry and most recently on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission's rulemakings on service quality and customer billing. The ITA established the Pacesetter Award in 1977 to recognize persons who perform exceptional and unusual service for the benefit of the telecommunications industry through ITA or national industry programs.

"Lou and Kathy represent leadership at its best. They are both ambassadors of Verizon and provide outstanding support to many telecommunications companies throughout Indiana," said Lori Macklin, director - Regulatory and Government Affairs for Verizon. "What makes these awards so special is the fact that the recognition comes from their industry peers."

The ITA, a trade group representing the interests of the local exchange telephone industry in the state, is made up of 40 member companies including Verizon. Organized in 1919, the Association was established to maintain high standards of operation, promote good customer and public relations with telephone consumers, promote the industry itself, preserve information valuable to the members and coordinate legal and technical efforts of the members.

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 133.8 million access line equivalents and approximately 29.6 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and nearly 248,000 employees, 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.

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