Two Verizon Executives Receive '2010 Ones to Watch' Awards From CIO Magazine and CIO Executive Council

NEW YORK, May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Two Verizon executives have been selected as recipients of the 2010 CIO Ones to Watch award from IDG's CIO magazine and CIO Executive Council.

Ruchir Rodrigues, vice president - product development - Verizon, and Craig Young, vice president - Verizon Wireless IT, were among 25 rising stars in information technology nationwide who have been honored for bringing leadership, innovation and value to their organizations.

Rodrigues and Young will accept their awards at the CIO Ones to Watch ceremony on Monday (May 3) in Colorado Springs during CIO magazine's Leadership Event.  Both are also featured in the current issue of CIO magazine.

"Ruchir and Craig exemplify the depth of talent, innovation and accomplishment of Verizon's entire IT organization, and we are proud that these awards recognize their efforts that benefit our customers and our shareholders," said Shaygan Kheradpir, executive vice president and chief information officer of Verizon.

Rodrigues is responsible for the development of new FiOS-based (fiber-optic) services for voice, data and video.  He leads the design and development of interactive media and entertainment services and was instrumental in leading the development of the Interactive Media Guide used by customers of Verizon's FiOS TV.  Rodrigues is also responsible for initiatives across Verizon's wireline business segment to reduce operating costs and improve efficiencies.

Young, who has been with Verizon Wireless since its launch 10 years ago, is responsible for managing the development and support for the retail systems for the 2,400 communications stores that the company owns and operates.  In addition, he manages the operation of all IT infrastructure in the Verizon Wireless Northeast area, which serves customers in 14 states and Washington, D.C.

All Ones to Watch honorees must be nominated or endorsed by a practicing CIO. Nominations were submitted between May and November 2009 and reviewed by a judging panel of leading CIOs.

"The Ones to Watch honorees bring a great diversity of leadership skills and IT experience to their organizations," said CIO Editor-in-Chief Maryfran Johnson.  "We were especially impressed this year by the keen business focus that is so clearly shaping the careers of this talented group of executives."

International Data Group (IDG), based in Massachusetts, is one of the world's leading technology media, events and research companies.  CIO magazine, CIO.com, CIO Executive Programs and the CIO Executive Council are produced by IDG's CXO Media business unit.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 93 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 217,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news.  To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

SOURCE Verizon