Verizon Executive Named as a 'Distinguished Black Woman'

NEW YORK -- Andrea L. Custis, president and chief operating officer of Verizon Avenue, has been named one of this year's "Distinguished Black Women" by Black Women in Sisterhood for Action, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting inner-city African-American young women and providing them with college scholarships. Custis was recognized for her efforts in assisting these women and serving as a mentor and role model.

Custis was one of 12 women honored recently at Black Women in Sisterhood for Action's 20^th Anniversary Gala Conference and Luncheon in Washington, D. C.

"It is impossible to overestimate the contributions and inspiration of women such as Andrea Custis," said Verna S. Cook, Ph.D., the organization's national president. "These distinguished women help to educate and inspire our youth to reach for excellence. Their support of our philosophy, goals and programs enables us to provide funding for our national scholarship assistance program."

Custis serves on the Philadelphia Superintendent of Schools' Advisory Council for Career and Vocational Education, the New York Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Board of Governors of the Academy of Applied Electrical Sciences. She is also a member of Verizon's Consortium of Information and Telecommunication Executives and Hispanic Support Organization employee groups.

Custis oversees sales, marketing and operations for Verizon Avenue, which provides bundled telecommunications and high-speed Internet services to multi-unit dwellings nationwide.

In her 26 years with the company, she has received numerous honors for her professional accomplishments and community service. Most recently, the Network Journal, a black professionals and small-business magazine, recognized her as one of the 25 most influential black women in business.

Verizon Communications (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 135.8 million access line equivalents and 32.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and 229,500 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 30 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

####