Verizon Wireless Supports Asian American Diversity Business Efforts

ARLINGTON, TX and BEDMINSTER, NJ — In a continued effort to work with woman-and minority-owned businesses and encourage minority participation in every line of business, Verizon Wireless is proud to announce the company's participation in the third annual Asian American Business EXPO, presented by the US Pan Asian Chamber of Commerce (USPACC). The event takes place today at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas. In addition to the company's ongoing support of Asian American businesses through its Supplier Diversity Initiative, Verizon Wireless is also a sponsor of the EXPO and three of the company's executives will take part in the daylong activities.

Martha Delehanty, vice president of human resources at Verizon Wireless, will speak at The Women Business Symposium and share her professional experience to help inspire Asian American women to expand their influence in the business world, enhance their ability to meet the challenges of a new economy, and to develop their businesses through procurement and certification. Delehanty will join eight other female executives for the symposium.

Verizon Wireless' Region President Luis Cruz will present the Award Luncheon's keynote address, offering details about Verizon Wireless' Supplier Diversity Initiative, which was created in 2001 to procure products and services in several categories, including general and administrative, information technology, marketing and network. Cruz will also discuss the best practices that drive the company's supplier diversity initiatives and why diversity is a practical decision for all businesses.

In addition to serving as the Corporate Chair for the USPACC - South West Regional Organization, Gwen Wilson, director of national supplier diversity initiatives at Verizon Wireless, will facilitate the "Economic Summit" and Roundtables, including the Procurement Connections Roundtable, which connects attendees with various corporations and government buyers.

Verizon Wireless' dedication to working with diversity-owned suppliers has been recognized by diversity-focused organizations. Most recently the company was named to the DiversityBusiness.com 2005 Div50 - a list of the Top 50 Corporate Buyers of Diversity Products and Services in the U.S. To learn more about Verizon Wireless' Supplier Diversity Initiatives, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/supplierdiversity.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 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.

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