Richard J. Lynch, Verizon Executive VP for Strategic Technology Initiatives, Announces Retirement

NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Richard J. Lynch, executive vice president for enterprisewide strategic technology initiatives at Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ), has announced his retirement, effective Aug. 19, following 39 years of service at Verizon and its predecessor companies.

Before being appointed to his current position in 2010, Lynch served as Verizon's executive vice president and chief technology officer.  Earlier, he had served as executive vice president and chief technical officer for Verizon Wireless since its formation in 2000.

"Dick has been the architect of remarkable technological advances for our company and for the entire wireless industry," said Lowell McAdam, Verizon chief executive officer.  "His passion and enthusiasm for the game-changing potential of wireless data have propelled us far beyond what we might have imagined -- to our 4G LTE network, the exponential expansion of our telematics services, particularly in the automotive industry, and our partnerships with innovators across the globe."

McAdam added, "Under Dick's leadership, the Verizon Wireless network earned its distinction of quality and reliability.  He is the living embodiment of our iconic 'Can you hear me now?' advertising campaign."

Lynch began his career in 1972 with New England Telephone and held a variety of positions in planning, operations, and engineering there and at Bell of Pennsylvania.  He joined Bell Atlantic Mobile in 1990 as chief technical officer, and in 1995 built one of the largest early wireless data networks in the country based on CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) technology.

In 2004, he led the industry with Verizon's decision to deploy an EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) network, the first true wide-area wireless broadband service.  Lynch was also responsible for the decision to deploy CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), which still remains the basis for the Verizon Wireless high-quality voice network.

In addition to deciding to adopt LTE (Long-Term Evolution) as the standard for Verizon's 4G network, Lynch also conceived and led the development of the recently opened Verizon Innovation Center in Waltham, Mass., designed to propel the development of solutions that spotlight the power and possibilities of 4G LTE.  By year-end, Verizon's 4G LTE network, the fastest and most advanced 4G network in the U.S., is expected to be available in more than 175 markets across the country, covering a population of more than 185 million.

Lynch is a fellow of The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and has earned patents for advances in the area of wireless technology.  He has been a frequent guest lecturer at academic and industry conferences, often speaking on technology and its business implications.  He has served on the executive board of the CDMA Development Group, the board of GSMA (GSM Association), and as a member of the Federal Communications Commission's Technical Advisory Committee and its Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC).

Lynch has received many awards and honors, including the President's Award from the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association for his leadership in the early years of wireless data.

Lynch is a graduate of Lowell Technological Institute (University of Massachusetts) where he received bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering.  He has also completed post-graduate work at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University.

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 Communications