Bell Atlantic Executive Named to Lead USTA into New Millennium

Bell Atlantic Executive Named to Lead
USTA into New Millennium

Tom Tauke Named Chairman at Annual Convention

October 19, 1999

SAN FRANCISCO -- Thomas J. Tauke, senior vice president for
Government Relations at Bell Atlantic, was named chairman of the United
States Telecom Association (USTA) during its 102nd annual convention in
San Francisco today. Tauke was named to a one-year term at the
convention, during which USTA (formerly the United States Telephone
Association) also adopted its new name to better reflect the rapid changes
facing the industry.

"Technology and the marketplace are transforming our industry.
You just can't find a plain old telephone company any more," Tauke
said. "Now our trade association must transform itself to better
reflect the new face of the telecom industry.

"I look forward to playing an active part in transforming the
organization and representing the interests of established USTA members
as well as new players in the industry," he said.

At Bell Atlantic, Tauke is responsible for overseeing corporate
relationships with the U.S. Government, international organizations, trade
and professional associations, and advocacy groups.

For two decades, Tauke has been a leading voice in the nation for
telecommunications reform. Before joining the corporate world in 1991,
Tauke was a Member of Congress, representing Iowa's Second
Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Tauke also served as a member of the Iowa General Assembly from 1975
to 1979.

"I am pleased that Tom has taken up this challenge," said Roy
Neel, president and CEO for USTA. "I look forward to working
with him as, together, we bring USTA into the 21st century."

For more than 100 years, USTA has been representing the interests of the
small, mid-size and large companies of the nation's local exchange carrier
industry. The association represents more than 1,200 companies
worldwide.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and
information industry. With more than 43 million telephone access lines
and more than 10 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.