Verizon Retail Markets Group Names Executives to New Positions to Spur Growth in Broadband and Entertainment

NEW YORK - Verizon today named senior leaders to new positions in its Domestic Telecom Retail Markets group to drive the company's growth in the broadband and entertainment markets.

"We are keenly focused on the enormous opportunities in broadband and entertainment," said Bob Ingalls, president of Verizon's Retail Markets Group. "This team will concentrate on growth of key broadband products such as DSL and FiOS Internet Service and our new FiOS TV Service, which launches later this year. At the same time, we'll step up local marketing to reach customers where they live and work."

The following positions, effective immediately, will be based at Verizon Center, Basking Ridge, N.J.

Marilyn O'Connell was named senior vice president - video solutions, responsible for the Verizon FiOS TV product's strategy, development and implementation. She previously was the senior vice president responsible for all broadband products. O'Connell joined Verizon in 1984 and has held several senior management positions in strategic planning, marketing and product management.

John Wimsatt was named senior vice president - broadband solutions, responsible for growth and development of Verizon's broadband products, including DSL, FiOS Internet Service and other value-added services such as iobi, a service that provides seamless access and control of communications from any location. He previously was vice president of broadband and consumer marketing. Wimsatt, who joined the company in 1988, has held senior positions in consumer marketing and product-line management.

Jerri DeVard was named senior vice president - marketing and brand management, responsible for national marketing, advertising, brand management, online marketing and multicultural marketing. She previously was senior vice president - brand management and marketing communications, a position she held since January 2003, when she joined the company after serving as a marketing executive with Citigroup, Revlon, Harrah's Entertainment and Pillsbury Co.

Judy Verses was named senior vice president - regional marketing operations, responsible for region-specific marketing, competitive response, market management and distribution-channel development. This approach enables the company to react quickly to changes in the local marketplace. She previously was senior vice president - national marketing and held several senior marketing positions since joining the company in 1983.

Additionally, Mike Hassett, senior vice president - voice and bundled solutions, now has added responsibilities for Verizon Avenue, the wholly-owned subsidiary that markets voice, video and data products to multi-dwelling housing units, such as apartments and condominiums, as well as to multi-tenant commercial buildings.

Verizon Communications Inc.

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of more than 214,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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