John Killian Named Head of New Verizon Business Unit Combining MCI With Verizon's Enterprise Solutions Group

21 October 2005

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ - News) announced today that John Killian, senior vice president and chief financial officer for Verizon Domestic Telecom, has been named president-elect of the business unit that will combine MCI, Inc. and Verizon's Enterprise Solutions Group. The unit will provide services to large business and government customers, as well as MCI's current customer base.

The appointment is dependent on regulatory approval of the merger, anticipated around the end of 2005. In the interim, Killian will lead merger integration planning efforts and develop overall strategy. Michael Capellas, MCI president and CEO, will continue to lead MCI until the merger is completed. Eduardo Menasce, president of Enterprise Solutions Group, will continue to lead the Enterprise organization until his retirement at the end of the year.

"The combined MCI/Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group will be one of our most important, core business units," said Verizon Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg. "We want to establish Verizon as a leading global solutions provider, and we have confidence that John Killian is the right person to lead this critical effort."

Killian will report to Verizon Vice Chairman Larry Babbio and expects to name his leadership team shortly. A new name for the business unit is also expected to be announced within a few weeks.

Prior to his current position, Killian served as senior vice president and controller for Verizon. He also served as senior vice president - Customer Operations for Verizon, responsible for Domestic Telecom national operations in the northern half of the United States.

Killian began his communications career nearly 27 years ago and has held positions of increasing responsibility in operations, strategic planning, general management and finance at Verizon and its predecessor companies.

In 1995, Killian was appointed president and CEO of NYNEX CableComms Limited, responsible for all activities for one of the largest telecommunications, information services and entertainment companies in the United Kingdom. In 1997, he served as group president -International Telecommunications for Bell Atlantic.

Killian holds a bachelor's degree from Providence College and a master's degree in finance from Bentley College.

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ - News) 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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Source: PR Newswire