Nashville, Tennessee Businessmen Somers And Champion Earn Coveted National President's Cabinet Awards

NASHVILLE, TN — Rick Somers and Greg Champion earned membership into Verizon Wireless' President's Cabinet, an honor reserved for those ranking in the top one percent nationally in sales during 2007.

Both Verizon Wireless employees earned the distinction by demonstrating exceptional sales leadership and customer service in assisting customers with wireless productivity tools, including wireless data applications like high-speed BroadbandAccess service, V CAST and other Verizon Wireless multimedia and data solutions. The recognition places both into the company's top performers among its more than 18,000 sales executives across the country.

Somers, Associate Director of Business Sales, is responsible for leading the sales team in Tennessee, with a focus on small to medium sized business accounts. In addition to the President's Cabinet Award, Somers earned the Top Performer of Business Sales Award and the Winner's Circle Award.

Champion, currently serving as a Business Account Executive in the Nashville market, is responsible for working with companies with 5-500 employees to determine which voice plan, data service and wireless device fits their needs. In addition to the President's Cabinet Award, Champion also earned the Winners Circle award as Business Account Executive of the Year for the highest number of activations in the entire Carolinas/Tennessee region.

"At Verizon Wireless, we encourage our employees to focus on their potential and provide them with tools and support to get to the next level," said Jerry Fountain, president— Carolinas/ Tennessee region, Verizon Wireless. "Both Rick and Greg exemplify what it means to reach for that potential. They are highly valued by us and by their customers."

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 65.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: 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.

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