Verizon Delaware President Joshua W. Martin III to Retire From Verizon

WILMINGTON, Del. - Verizon Communications today announced that Joshua W. Martin III, president of Verizon Delaware, will retire in March. The company will name a successor shortly.

Martin, who is leaving Verizon Delaware after more than 15 years of service, will join Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP, a Wilmington law firm.

"I retire from Verizon with a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment, having had the opportunity to work with world-class teams on cutting-edge business, legal and technical issues," Martin said.

"I will miss working with my colleagues to deliver the promise of the information age to our customers. Now, I will have the opportunity to pursue another passion of mine - the inclusion and progression of lawyers of color in law firms. I wish all my friends at Verizon continued success," he said.

Colleen McCloskey, senior vice president - Verizon Public Affairs, Policy and Communications, said: "Few business leaders have the outstanding credentials and depth of professional experience that Josh brought to Verizon Delaware. Our entire Verizon state team has benefited from Josh's leadership and wise counsel. We admire his compassion and dedication to the community and wish him well as he returns to the legal profession."

As president of Verizon Delaware, Martin has championed economic development and education initiatives in the First State. He currently serves on the boards of the PNC Bank of Delaware, Christiana Care Corp., the Southwest Power Pool Inc., Nuclear Electric Insurance Ltd. and the Winterthur Museum. In addition, Martin serves as a trustee of Case Western Reserve University and is a life trustee of Goldey Beacom College. He is also co-chair of the Delaware State Bar Association Judicial Compensation Committee and is affiliated with numerous other education and civic organizations.

Martin began his telecommunications career in 1990 as vice president and general counsel of Verizon Delaware's predecessor company. He was named president of the Delaware company in 1996. Before joining Verizon, Martin served on the state Superior Court bench for eight years. He also was a member of the Delaware Public Service Commission from 1978 to 1982, serving as chair for three years. In addition, Martin was a patent attorney for Hercules Inc. from 1974 to 1982. He began his professional career at DuPont Company as a physicist in 1966 and earned his law degree in 1974.

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of more than 210,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom serves customers based in 29 states with wireline telecommunications services, including broadband, nationwide long-distance and other services. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 43.8 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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