Verizon Among Top 30 Companies For Women Executives

NEW YORK -- Women are finding success at companies like Verizon, according to the National Association of Female Executives (NAFE), which released its annual list of "Top 30 Companies for Executive Women" this week. Verizon, which ranked 27th, is the only telecommunications company on the list.

"Companies in the 'Top 30' are tapping women for senior positions -- and have the best practices to get them there," said NAFE President Dr. Betty Spence. "These companies offer women opportunities to grow and advance, and a work culture where they can prosper and have a life."

NAFE, the country's largest women's professional association, requires companies that make its Top 30 list to have at least two women on their board of directors, a steadily increasing number of women in senior management, programs that groom women for upper management, maternity/paternity leave and flextime. This year, NAFE toughened the requirements by counting women in line positions -- operating jobs with profit and loss responsibility.

Women make up nearly half of Verizon's work force and hold an increasing number of corporate power positions including:

• Verizon Chief Financial Officer Doreen Toben -- named one of Fortune magazine's "50 Most Powerful Women in Business in 2002."

• Kathy Harless -- president of Verizon Information Services, the world's largest publisher of telephone directories.

• Eileen Odum -- president of Verizon National Operations, the organization responsible for telephone installation, maintenance and repair, construction and customer relations processes for 32 million households.

• Mary Beth Bardin -- executive vice president-Public Affairs and Communications, which includes all internal and external communications, Verizon's image and reputation programs, and the company's charitable foundation.

Verizon prepares women and minorities for career advancement through mentoring and leadership development programs. For example, the Verizon Development and Leadership Initiative helps participants fine-tune their professional goals and network with Verizon executives.

Women also find mentors and networking opportunities through the Women's Association of Verizon Employees, a company-sponsored organization that focuses on workplace and life balance issues.

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 33 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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