Verizon 'legend' to retire

Verizon Communications Inc. president and chief operating officer Dennis Strigl has announced he will retire by year’s end.

Strigl is responsible for operations of Verizon's network businesses, including Networx Universal and Enterprise contract holder Verizon Business, as well as Verizon Wireless, Verizon Telecom and Verizon Services Operations, which provides financial, real estate and other services companywide.

Calling Strigl's contributions to Verizon and the communications industry “legendary,” company chairman and chief executive officer Ivan Seidenberg said in a statement: “Denny has the innate ability to drive success by fostering innovative thinking, motivating his teams to put the customer first and inspiring growth.”

Until 2007, when he was named to his current position, Strigl was president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless. He is credited with architecting Verizon’s drive from wireline to wireless. Verizon Wireless had $49.3 billion in 2008 revenue, the largest single component of parent company Verizon Communications Inc.’s $97.4 billion in 2008 revenue. Verizon Business, which comprises both private sector and government business, had $21.1 billion in 2008 revenue.

No announcement has been made as to Strigl’s successor.

Verizon Communications ranks No. 16 on Washington Technology's 2009 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.