Verizon names Melone to CTO post

Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) has appointed Tony Melone, Verizon Wireless' CTO, as the telco's new executive vice president and chief technology officer, in one of the latest changes taking place in the top executive ranks at Verizon Communications.

Melone is taking over the CTO reins from Shaygan Kheradpir, who is retiring this month after 23 years with the company. Kheradpir, who began his telecom career in 1987 with the former GTE, served as Verizon Communications' CIO until he was appointed as CTO in October. Following his retirement from Verizon, Kheradpir is going to move to London to join Barclays Global Retail Banking (GRB) as its new COO beginning next year.

Best known for his work in advancing Verizon's LTE, Melone has been CTO of Verizon Wireless since 2007. Before taking the CTO post at Verizon Wireless, he served as vice president of Verizon Wireless' network operations.  Melone will be replaced by David Small, previously the president of Verizon's Northeast area.

Since September, Verizon has been shuffling the corporate deck following the retirement of various high level executives.

Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless' CEO, became Verizon Communications COO, a move that obviously prepares him to take over the CEO position when Ivan Seidenberg retires in 2011. Meanwhile, Francis Shammo, the former president of Verizon Business, took the CFO post in November when John Killian retired from the company.

For more:
- see the release

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