Verizon Again Named to DiversityInc Magazine's List of Top 50 Companies for Diversity

NEW YORK, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon's continued efforts to create a diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment have again earned the company a ranking on DiversityInc magazine's 2010 list of Top 50 Companies for Diversity.  

A global company that serves the most diverse markets in the U.S., Verizon has for 10 consecutive years earned a spot on the magazine's top companies for diversity list. The company ranked No. 11 on this year's list, and has twice earned the No. 1 spot.

Women and people of color make up more than 60 percent of Verizon's workforce. And in 2009, Verizon spent $3.7 billion with companies owned and managed by minorities, women, people with disabilities, and Vietnam-era and service-disabled veterans (MWDVBE).

"Our goal has always been to leverage the diversity of employees, customers, suppliers and community partners to better serve our customers around the globe," said Magda Yrizarry, chief diversity officer for Verizon. "That's been a competitive advantage for Verizon, one we'll continue to rely on as we use our broadband and wireless networks to build a better workforce, create economic growth and address issues like education and energy."

Now in its tenth year, the annual DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list ranks the Top 50 companies for their consistent strength in four areas: CEO commitment, human capital, corporate and organizational communications, and supplier diversity.

Diversity is part of Verizon's culture and an integral part of its business strategy -- from human resources and supplier relations, to marketing and philanthropy.  Through the Verizon Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, Verizon contributed more than $35 million in 2009 to charitable causes and organizations that serve minority communities across the country. Specially-trained consultants at Verizon's Center for Customers with Disabilities offer communications solutions for customers with vision, hearing, cognitive or mobility limitations – including service support in American Sign Language (ASL) via Webcam. And for multilingual customers, the company offers service in six languages – Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Russian and Vietnamese.

The company's commitment to developing diverse talent was recognized earlier this year by the National Association for Female Executives, which named Verizon to the 2010 list of NAFE Top 50 Companies for Executive Women.  And for the sixth consecutive year, Verizon was named one of the top American corporations for women's business enterprises by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. Also this year, Verizon ranked No. 4 on Training magazine's latest Top 125 list of companies that have the best training programs for their employees, the 9th consecutive year that Verizon has been recognized for its investment in the training, education and professional development of its employees.

For more information about Verizon's commitment to diversity, visit http://newscenter.verizon.com/kit/diversity/.    

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: 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 more than 91 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 approximately 222,900 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.  

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SOURCE Verizon