VERIZON NAMED TOP COMMUNICATIONS FIRM FOR DIVERSITY
(Reprinted from Verizon Employee Communications with permission)

Verizon led all communications companies and placed fourth overall in DiversityInc magazine's 2004 survey of the "Top 50 Companies for Diversity." It's the third consecutive year we've made the list. We also ranked in the top 10 in more categories than any other company surveyed, with high ratings as a workplace for African-Americans; Asian-Americans; Latinos; and gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender employees. Minority employees represent nearly 30 percent of our work force and comprise almost 18 percent of top management. Verizon measures diversity progress and holds executives accountable through incentives linked to short-term compensation. We have 22 diversity councils that focus on leadership development, mentoring and diversity training, and 10 employee resource groups promoting personal and professional growth. DiversityInc also named Verizon one the best companies for supplier diversity. The final results will appear in the June/July issue.