Workers enter Verizon zone

By MIKE BENBOW

Herald Writer

For most of us, it hasn’t sunk in yet.

It’ll be another month or more before the Verizon Communications logo starts appearing on our phone bills and in front of what’s been GTE’s Northwest headquarters in Everett for the past 36 years.

But for the 2,000 or so people who work out of Everett, Thursday was D-Day. They joined 260,000 employees nationwide in celebrating the merger of GTE and Bell Atlantic that became final last Friday. The company started trading Monday on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VZ.

The merger, two years in the making, creates the largest communications company and puts Verizon among the nation’s Top 10 employers.

Locally, employees marked the occasion by placing a Verizon sticker over the GTE symbol on their ID cards, donning Verizon T-shirts and sunglasses, watching officials cut a ceremonial cake and listening to them talk about the future.

In Everett, Evertt "Ev" Williams, a vice president for business development based in Dallas, told the assembled workers that Thursday was an important day, one they’d look back on as the day it all started.

"I really think today is Chuck Lee’s finest hour," he said of the GTE executive who will serve as chairman and co-chief executive of the new company. "To take GTE into this Verizon opportunity is the best thing he could have done."

Williams said in the past some companies were leery about partnerships with GTE because they questioned whether it had what it took to be a global player in the communications market.

Now, he added, Verizon is a major company in local and long-distance service and is twice as big in wireless communications as the next largest competitor.

"We’re in the driver’s seat," he said. "We’re really positioned well going into this new world."

Noting he’d already stopped by Microsoft’s headquarters during his visit to explore future possibilities, Williams added, "They’re more excited (about the merger’s possibilities) than we are."

His comments brought cheers from the crowd and even some confetti. But with the celebration over, the real work begins.

Company officials say it will take some 18 months to convert everything to the new logo, including 57,000 vehicles, 250,000 public phones, 3,000 buildings and a host of recorded greetings and announcements.

You can call Herald Writer Mike Benbow at 425-339-3459or send e-mail to

benbow@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.