Bell Atlantic Names Dan Whelan State President

Bell Atlantic Names Dan Whelan State President

Assumes Overall Responsibility for Pennsylvania

June 30, 2000

PHILADELPHIA -- Bell Atlantic, soon to complete its merger with GTE Corp. and become Verizon Communications, has selected Daniel J. Whelan to become state president in Pennsylvania. The appointment is effective upon completion of the Bell Atlantic-GTE merger.

As state president Whelan assumes overall responsibility for all corporate interests for the company in Pennsylvania.

"Dan is an outstanding leader who's up to the significant challenges and opportunities that face our business," said Geoff Gould, who has been named senior vice president for state and local relations at Verizon. "He will continue to guide our company through Pennsylvania's constantly changing competitive and regulatory environment."

A native of Philadelphia, Whelan began his career with Bell of Pennsylvania in 1977 as an attorney. He worked as general attorney in the state and federal arenas for Bell of Pennsylvania and Bell Atlantic Corp. before being appointed vice president of operations in Pittsburgh in 1988. In 1991, he was appointed vice president-regulatory and governmental relations. Whelan was elected president and CEO of Bell Atlantic - Maryland, Inc. on April 1, 1995, and President and CEO of Bell Atlantic - Pennsylvania, Inc. on March 1, 1997.

Whelan is a board member of Bell Atlantic - Pennsylvania, Greater Philadelphia First, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, the Regional Performing Arts Center, the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, TEAM Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Business Roundtable. He also serves on the board of advisors of the American Red Cross-Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter and Temple Law School. Whelan also is a member of the Compaq Computer Corp. Communications Industry Board of Advisors.

Whelan graduated in 1974 cum laude from the Temple University School of Law, where he was editor-in-chief of the Law Review, and from La Salle College in 1968, with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. He served in the U. S. Navy from 1968 through 1971.

He and his wife Kathy reside in Wayne. They have three children.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information industry. With more than 44 million telephone access lines and more than 20 million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, market leaders in wireless services and the world's largest publishers of directory information. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets, with operations and investments in 23 countries.