Verizon Pennsylvania President Gale Given to Retire After 32 Years of Service

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Gale Given, president of Verizon Pennsylvania, has announced that she will retire at the end of the year after 32 years of service with Verizon.  

"Gale has led state government affairs in several states during her career and – regardless of the assignment – she has been a strong advocate for our company, our employees and our customers," said Colleen McCloskey, Verizon senior vice president-state government affairs.  "Gale has always looked to the future, particularly for opportunities to grow the business and to further Verizon's leadership role as a corporate citizen in the communities we serve.  We wish her the best in her retirement."

Given said, "My career has been both challenging and fulfilling.  I'm proud of Verizon and the professional team members with whom I have had the opportunity to work.  I am also grateful that I have had the chance to contribute."

A native of Point Pleasant, W.Va., Given began her career in 1979 at C&P Telephone of West Virginia in the central office engineering organization.  In 1987, she moved to Bell Communications Research, where she worked on national issues related to carrier interconnection.  Given returned to West Virginia in 1990 as executive director and then president of the state's public policy and external affairs group, and in 2003 she was named president of Verizon's Great Lakes region.  Given was named president of Verizon Pennsylvania in October 2008.

Given earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's degree in business administration, both from Marshall University.  She is on the board of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and its CEO Council for Growth, as well as the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Organizational changes resulting from Given's retirement will be determined at a later date.

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 consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 106 million total connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 196,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.  

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SOURCE Verizon