2004 CHICAGO UNITED NATIONAL BRIDGE AWARD RECIPIENT

"Diversity is not a game of quotas or headcounts. It's a broadening of the corporate vision to encompass a wider and more varied employee and customerbase. My responsibility as CEO is to establish values, set the cultural tone within the company and keep diversity in front of all employees. When diversity is part of a company's culture, as it is at Verizon, everyone benefits, including customers, suppliers and employees."

Ivan G. Seidenberg
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Verizon Communications

Ivan Seidenberg is chairman of the Board and chief executive officer for Verizon. In November of 2003, Verizon announced that Mr. Seidenberg would become chairman of the Board effective
January 1, 2004. He has served as the sole CEO since April 1, 2002.

As chief executive of Bell Atlantic, and previously of NYNEX, Ivan Seidenberg was instrumental in reshaping the communications industry through two of the largest mergers in its history: the merger of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX in 1997 and the Bell Atlantic merger with GTE in 2000. He also led efforts in September 1999 to form Verizon Wireless, the nation’s largest cellular business composed of the wireless assets of Bell Atlantic, GTE and Vodafone Airtouch.

Mr. Seidenberg began his communications career more than 38 years ago as a cable splicer’s assistant. His career has encompassed numerous operations and engineering assignments, including various leadership positions at AT&T and NYNEX.

He has a long-standing commitment to education and is a strong proponent of connecting students and teachers to technology. He championed a special rate for schools and libraries to connect to the Internet.

Mr. Seidenberg also champions diversity both within and outside the company. Under his leadership, the company has made great strides in increasing minority employment and initiated a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration to increase the company’s purchasing from minority suppliers.

Verizon’s commitment to diversity has been widely recognized, with the company being cited by Fortune magazine in its list of “The 50 Best Companies for Minorities.” It has been the recipient of numerous awards for its diversity efforts from such organizations as Diversity, Inc., National Society of Black Engineers, Latina Style Magazine, and the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Seidenberg earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from City University of New York and a master’s degree in business administration and marketing from Pace University.

He and his wife, Phyllis, have two adult children and reside in New York.