MacDailyNews Note: Forget the 41 years, Denny’s the guy who’ll best be remembered for blowing the U.S. iPhone deal for Verizon.
Strigl is responsible for the operations of Verizon’s network-based businesses – Verizon Wireless, Verizon Telecom and Verizon Business — as well as Verizon Services Operations, which provides financial, real estate and other services to all of the company’s operations. He served as president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireles until assuming his current role in 2007.
Strigl said in the press release, “Verizon has become a world leader in communications innovation and operational excellence. I believe that we have the ability and the will to grow and take share from our competition, even in uncertain times. Because we have the right leadership team in place to continue our success in the marketplace, I believe that this is an appropriate time to announce my retirement.”
Verizon Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ivan G. Seidenberg called Strigl’s contributions to Verizon and the communications industry “legendary.” He said in the press release: “Denny has the innate ability to drive success by fostering innovative thinking, motivating his teams to put the customer first and inspiring growth. As a result, he has been a major force in the transformation of Verizon, positioning the company to lead in all of our strategic growth areas. His leadership at Verizon and his deep roots in the communications industry have created a tremendous legacy and a blueprint for us to follow. I look forward to working with him during the transition for the rest of 2009, and we wish him the best in whatever endeavor he chooses to succeed in next.”
Source: Verizon Communications Inc.
MacDailyNews Take: Fostering innovative thinking by failing to recognize the iPhone revolution and taking a pass on Apple’s paradigm-shifting device, instead consigning his firm to years of trying to dupe the ignorant with iPhone lookalikes and misleading marketing. That’s how Denny, the legendary preserver of the status quo of the omnipotent carrier, “put the customer first” at Verizon Wireless.
Strigl is only 62 years old; draw your own conclusions.