Verizon Wireless VP Honored By IDG's CIO Magazine

BEDMINSTER, NJ — Verizon Wireless today announced that Ajay Waghray, vice president of Information Technology, has been selected as one of 20 recipients of the 2006 CIO Ones to Watch Awards from IDG's CIO magazine and CIO Executive Council. The CIO Ones to Watch Award identifies rising stars in the field of Information Technology who have demonstrated leadership, driven innovation and delivered value to the business.

"Our primary mission at Verizon Wireless is to make our service simple, easy and reliable to use in every way -- from making a call anywhere you want to paying a bill any way you want,' said Waghray.

Waghray, who has been with Verizon Wireless since its launch six years ago, is currently responsible for billing and customer care applications. He first joined Bell Atlantic Mobile in 1997 as a director. After the formation of Verizon Wireless in 2000, Waghray moved into the vice president role, successfully leading the company's efforts to consolidate 13 major billing systems and more than 150 other systems.

Waghray accepted the award at the CIO Ones to Watch Awards ceremony held last night at The Charles Hotel in Cambridge, MA. He will also be featured in the July 1, 2006 issue of CIO magazine.

For more information about Verizon Wireless, please visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 53 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About CIO Magazine and the CIO Executive Council
Launched in 1987, CIO magazine addresses issues vital to the success of chief information officers (CIOs) worldwide. The CIO portfolio includes a companion website (www.CIO.com), CIO Executive Programs and the CIO Executive Council. CIO properties provide technology and business leaders with analysis and insight on information technology trends and a keen understanding of IT's role in achieving business goals. The U.S. edition of the magazine and website are recipients of 140 awards to date, including two Grand Neals from the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Awards and two Magazine of the Year awards from the National Society of Business Publication Editors. CIO magazine is published in more than a dozen countries, including Australia, Canada, China, France and Germany. CIO Executive Programs-a series of face-to-face conferences including CIO|07: The Year Ahead and the CIO 100 Awards provide educational and networking opportunities for pre-qualified corporate and government leaders. The CIO Executive Council is a professional organization of CIOs created to achieve lasting change in critical industry, academic, media and governmental groups. CIO magazine, CIO.com, CIO Executive Programs and the CIO Executive Council are produced by International Data Group's award-winning business unit: CXO Media Inc.

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