Bell Atlantic Federal's President to Leave
JUNE 15 ? After five years at the helm, Bell Atlantic Federal President Barbara Connor announced her resignation June 14 to pursue "other professional interests," as stated in a letter to Bell Atlantic Federal customers.
By Jennifer Freer, Staff Writer
JUNE 15 ? After five years at the helm, Bell Atlantic Federal President Barbara Connor announced her resignation June 14 to pursue "other professional interests," as stated in a letter to Bell Atlantic Federal customers.
Connor will leave as soon as parent company Bell Atlantic Corp. completes its merger with GTE Corp., which is expected at the end of June following approval by the Federal Communications Commission. Leonard Williams, Bell Atlantic Federal's chief operating officer, will take control of the post-merger federal organization.
"This decision has not been an easy one, but I look forward to pursuing other professional interests," Connor said in the letter. "The past five years with Bell Atlantic Federal have been extremely rewarding, and I have enjoyed working with you."
Bell Atlantic officials would not comment on Connor's departure.
Once the merger is finalized, New York-based Bell Atlantic and GTE of Irving, Texas, will change the company name to Verizon Communications Inc. This will rebrand the combined company on a national level and form the largest local telephone company in the United States.
The FCC is in the final stages of reviewing the proposed marriage of Bell Atlantic and GTE, a deal that would create a company with expected revenue of $60 billion a year. According to The Washington Post, four of the five FCC commissioners agreed to the deal June 14. A formal announcement, which may include conditions on the deal, is expected at any time.
Connor began her career with Bell of Pennsylvania in 1973, where she held positions in operations, marketing and finance. In addition, she was vice president of finance and a controller. Connor was appointed president of Bell Atlantic Federal in 1995.