Verizon's Richard Ellis to Serve on New Federal Communications Committee

WASHINGTON -- Richard Ellis, director of federal affairs for Verizon Communications has been named to a news advisory group to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Ellis, a resident of Silver Spring, Md., has been appointed to the Consumer/Disability Telecommunications Advisory Committee. This committee will make recommendations to the FCC on issues such as consumer protection and education, access to services by people with disabilities, and the impact of new technologies on consumers.

"Our industry is undergoing tremendous change that affects everyone who picks up a telephone receiver or calls on a TTY," Ellis said. "This new advisory group provides a forum for industry representatives, regulators, and consumers to work together as a team to make this change as easy as possible for all consumers."

Ellis brings more than a quarter of a century's worth of interest and experience in consumer affairs to his committee assignment. His first post-college employment was an assignment working with consumer pioneer Betty Furness at NBC television in New York. And during an 18-year career at Verizon, he has worked to ensure that consumers-including those with disabilities-have increased access to Verizon services. He has worked closely with consumer- and disability-related organizations including the National Consumer League, the National Association of the Deaf, Call for Action, and the World Institute on Disabilities.

Rich has shown great sensitivity to the needs of consumers and individuals with disabilities, said Wendy J. Weinberg, executive director of the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators. "His grasp of the technological, business and human elements of the issues will enable him to bring great perspective to the committee."

Former FCC Chairman William E. Kennard established the Consumer/Disability Telecommunications Advisory Committee in November to promote consumer issues. The committee's goal is to increase consumer participation, including consumers with disabilities, in FCC proceedings.

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Verizon Communications Inc. (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 nealy109 million access line equivalents and more that 27.5 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the world's largest providers of print and online directory information, A Fortune 10 company, with approximately 260,000 employees and more that $63 billion is annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 40 countries in the America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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