GTE names Annette Jacobs president of Chicago, Central Illinois and St. Louis wireless properties being acquired from Ameritech

ATLANTA — GTE today appointed Annette Jacobs, currently area president- California for GTE Wireless, to lead the wireless operations the company is acquiring from Ameritech. Her appointment will be effective with the close of the property sale to GTE, which is contingent on the close of the SBC-Ameritech merger. Based in Schaumburg, Ill., Jacobs will be responsible for sales, service and operations in Chicago, Central Illinois and St. Louis.

In her role as head of GTE Wireless' new Central Area, Jacobs' organization will offer Ameritech brand cellular services and pricing plans, plus GTE's broad array of wireless services.

Her new organization will become part of GTE's existing wireless operations in 17 states. GTE and Bell Atlantic are currently merging and when finalized, the combined company will have a wireless footprint encompassing nearly two thirds of the largest U.S. markets. The addition of the Chicago wireless market will provide the new company a competitive foothold able to offer one-stop shopping for telecommunications services as it moves forward with its plan to compete with the combined SBC-Ameritech in the city.

GTE Wireless President Mark Feighner said, "Annette's hands-on experience in diverse, highly competitive wireless markets for GTE will help us successfully enter these growing Midwest markets. I am confident that, under her leadership, we will offer customers unparalleled service quality and exciting new products and services, and provide employees with a rewarding and motivating work environment."

Jacobs began her GTE career in 1988 as a national sales manager. Since then, she has held various strategic positions in Alabama, Georgia and California. Jacobs holds a bachelor of science degree in management from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Fla.

Jacobs and her family will relocate to the Chicago area.

GTE announced April 5 that it had agreed to acquire approximately half of Ameritech's total wireless holdings. Since then, the two companies have mobilized to complete the acquisition as early as June 30.

About GTE:
With 1998 revenues of more than $25 billion, GTE is a leading telecommunications provider with one of the industry's broadest arrays of products and services. In the United States, GTE provides local service in 28 states and wireless service in 17 states, as well as nationwide long-distance, directory, and internetworking services ranging from dial-up Internet access for residential and small business consumers to Web-based applications for Fortune 500 companies. Outside the United States, the company serves customers on five continents.

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