Bone Appoints Three Executive Directors at Bell Atlantic

Bone Appoints Three Executive Directors at
Bell Atlantic

Action Comes in Wake of Ritchie Ireland Retirement

April 20, 1999

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Dennis Bone, president and CEO of Bell
Atlantic - West Virginia, today announced a realignment of his executive
staff. The move follows the recent retirement of Ritchie A. Ireland, vice
president for external affairs and finance.

H. Stan Cavendish is named executive director-corporate and public
affairs; Gale Y. Given becomes executive director-regulatory matters;
John R. Ruddick is appointed executive director-government and external
relations.

"Ritchie Ireland has played a critical role in Bell Atlantic's success
over his 37-year career, particularly as we have made unprecedented
advances in technology and encountered increasing competition,"
Bone said.

Ireland is a native of Harrisville, W.Va., and a graduate of Ohio State
University. He joined the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company
of West Virginia (Bell Atlantic's predecessor) in 1962. He held a variety
of positions in network operations, external and regulatory affairs, and
finance. He led a massive effort to restore telephone service in flood-
ravaged southern West Virginia in 1977. He also served as president of
Bell Atlantic Knowledge Systems from 1988-91.

Cavendish, a native of Ripley and a graduate of West Virginia University,
is responsible for public relations and economic development, as well as
technology demonstration projects.

Given, a native of Pt. Pleasant, is responsible for product and service
planning, as well as coordinating matters that come before the West
Virginia Public Service Commission. She has bachelor of science degree
and master of business administration degree from Marshall University.

Ruddick, a native of Wilmington, Del., is responsible for state government
and legislative affairs, and statewide community relations. He has a
bachelor's degree from Villanova University and a master of business
administration from the University of Charleston. He is also a certified
public accountant.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and
information industry. With more than 42 million telephone access lines
and 8.6 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.