Location: Responsible for greater Tucson and Southern Nevada including greater Las Vegas. Based in Tempe, Arizona.

With Verizon Wireless And Its Legacy Companies Since: 1993

Miles Driven Daily:
Between 200 and 300

Current Ringtone:
“Hell’s Bells” by AC/DC

Current Ringback Tone:
“Going Mobile” by The Who

Favorite Verizon Wireless Service or Feature:
VZ Navigator is fun.

How did you become a Test Man?
I started as a customer service representative in Seattle and then moved to the Information Technology Department. From there, I moved to network operations and started drive testing. Over the years, I have tested in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico.

What’s the most rewarding part of your day?
The most rewarding part of my day is a full day of testing with no issues. Also, I enjoy driving in rural areas and looking at the varied scenery.

What do you have in common with the Test Man in the commercials?
We both wear glasses.

What does “It’s the Network” mean to you?
“It’s the Network” has a couple of meanings to me. First, we have the best technical network available. The reason our customers have the best service available is because of our network infrastructure. Second, “It’s the Network,” deals with Verizon Wireless employees. Verizon Wireless employees’ professionalism and dedication to the customer stand out in every job.

Why does Verizon Wireless need to test the network every day?
We need to test every day, to ensure that we are indeed the best. It is one of many benchmarks used to check and recheck ourselves and our competitors, so that when we say we are the best, it’s provable, with facts and data. That allows us to live up to our commitment to our customers.

What is the most unique place you have visited to test the Verizon Wireless network?
The summer of 2003, I had just completed a test of Eugene/Springfield, Oregon area and was headed back to Portland when I received a call to find out how quickly I could get to Yellowstone National Park to run a test in the park to check coverage for the firefighters there fighting a lightning-started fire. It took two days to get there and drive the park. I saw lots of elk, deer and buffalo. Even saw a moose or two! I drove back through central Idaho, to drive test an area around Moscow, Idaho. It was the most beautiful drive I had ever done.

How does Verizon Wireless use the data you collect?
The data I collect is very valuable in that engineering looks at the data every quarter and uses it as part of the decision-making process about changes in the network, whether it’s making software tweaks, or changing an antenna, or even something as significant as a new cell site.

What should consumers know about the Verizon Wireless network?
That OUR network is a living network, growing, advancing, getting bigger and, more importantly, getting better.

What achievement/aspect of your job are you most proud of?
I am proud of being part a great, dedicated team of men and women who work very hard to ensure that Verizon Wireless has the most rock-solid, most advanced and downright best network!

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jenny Weaver
480-763-6321
Jenny.Weaver@VerizonWireless.com

Reliability Studies for the west