Advancing Education is Part of Calling New York Home

It was cold this past weekend in Albany, N.Y., but Verizon and Leecia Eve, the company’s vice president for government affairs in New York, got a warm reception at the 44th Annual Legislative Caucus of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislators. The caucus holds a series of events during the weekend to focus on policy issues of particular concern to minority communities across the state, and to raise scholarship funds for the educational advancement of African-American, Hispanic and other minority youth. The event is held each year to coincide with Black History Month.

“We are the leading technology company of our time that continues to choose to call New York our home. "

Eve was recognized by New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli for her contributions to New Yorkers, and was honored with an Outstanding Leader Proclamation.

In accepting the award, she said, “We are the leading technology company of our time that continues to choose to call New York our home. I couldn’t be happier to receive this award on behalf of Verizon.” 



She cited the 22,000 employees the company has in the state, 12,000 of whom are in New York City; the generous benefits provided to employees and retirees; the company’s commitment to the state’s communications networks; and its membership as a charter member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, which encourages corporations to continue growing and building their supplier diversity programs. She pointed out that Verizon spent $6.3 billion with minority and women-owned businesses last year.

Others recognized at the  event, attended by approximately 500 state and local officials and community leaders, were Carl Heastie, the newly elected speaker of the New York State Assembly, State Assemblyman Jose Rivera and Denise Berkley, statewide secretary for the CSEA.