NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Todd Bell, senior vice president of IT infrastructure management at Verizon, has been selected as one of the Computerworld Premier 100 IT Leaders for 2013.   

This awards program recognizes 100 technology and business leaders from a broad range of organizations who have displayed exceptional leadership, effectively managed IT strategies, established creative work environments and implemented innovative approaches to business problems.

"This recognition reflects Todd's important contribution to the way Verizon is transforming itself around an innovation explosion driven by the convergence of mobility, broadband and cloud technologies," said Roger Gurnani, executive vice president and CIO for Verizon. "Todd and his entire team are focused on streamlining processes and infrastructure to enable Verizon's business units to more efficiently and effectively serve customers."

Bell was recognized for several key projects, including an optimized call-routing system to better serve Verizon customers on the phone, and the deployment of smartphone and tablet devices and information systems that enabled more than 5,000 Verizon sales representatives to better serve customers while in the store or on the road.  His department also deployed collaboration tools to employees across Verizon's enterprise, including a record-breaking upgrade and standardization of Verizon Wireless desktop and laptop systems in less than 120 days.

"The Premier 100 awards program showcases the exceptional work of a dedicated group of technology-savvy business leaders who are driving huge change in their organizations through IT," said Scot Finnie, editor in chief of Computerworld.

The Premier 100 awards ceremony will be held during Computerworld's annual Premier 100 IT Leaders Conference, March 3-5, 2013, in Tucson, Ariz., where more than 350 influential senior IT managers will share best practices.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with nearly 96 million retail customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 184,500.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon