GTE names Bruce Haddad and Ignacio Santillana to senior international posts.

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 1997--

Appointments reflect growth of GTE's worldwide operations

GTE Corp. today appointed Bruce E. Haddad senior vice president - international operations, and Ignacio Santillana, senior vice president - international business development, effective February 3, according to GTE Vice Chairman and President - International Michael T. Masin.

Haddad, 43, is a 20-year veteran of GTE, who has served in several key international and corporate positions, including president of CANTV, the Venezuelan telephone company. He will be responsible for all international operations, including those in Canada, Asia and Latin America as well as any operations GTE may acquire or build worldwide, said Masin. Haddad will remain a member of GTE's executive leadership committee, a small group of senior executives that works closely with GTE's Office of the Chairman in identifying and addressing key strategic issues.

Santillana, 48, joins GTE following a nine-year career with Telefonica, the telephone company of Spain, where he spent six years as chief executive officer of Telefonica Internacional during which he led Telefonica's very successful international expansion. He will have worldwide responsibility for expanding GTE's international activities, building on the company's solid base of operations and emerging opportunities, Masin noted. Santillana also will become a member of GTE's executive leadership committee.

"GTE's international operations, and our commitment to grow the business, have reached the point where it made sense to have one senior executive focus on all operations and another on all business development worldwide," Masin said. "With their proven track records and considerable reputations in international business, Haddad and Santillana will provide GTE with outstanding leadership in their respective areas."

Background on Haddad

Haddad most recently was senior vice president International - Latin America since 1995. He previously served as senior vice president - International for GTE Telephone Operations from 1994 to 1995 and as president of CANTV from 1991 to 1995. Prior to assuming his responsibilities in Venezuela, Haddad served as vice president and controller for GTE Corp. and its worldwide operations from 1989 to 1992. From 1985 to 1987, he was vice president - finance for CODETEL, the telephone company in the Dominican Republic, which GTE owns and manages. Before that, he was vice president - finance for GTE Telephone Operations South area, and vice president - business planning for GTE Telephone Operations headquarters.

He is chairman of the VenWorld consortium and a member of the boards of CANTV, CTI, the Council of the Americas and Caribbean/Latin American Action. Haddad graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's degree in business administration. He will continue to be based in Irving, Texas.

Background on Santillana

Santillana served as chief executive officer of Telefonica Internacional from 1990 to 1996. Most recently, he was managing director of international communications for Telefonica, and previously was deputy managing director of finance and budgets for that company from 1988 to 1990. Prior to joining Telefonica, he was chairman of ENISA (Grupo INI, National Institute of Industry) from 1986 to 1988. Previously, Santillana served as economic advisor to Telefonica, the Spanish Banking Association and the Ministry of Economics. He began his career as professor of economic theory at the Autonomous University of Madrid in 1971.

During his career at Telefonica, he was a member of the boards of Telefonica Argentina, CTC (Chile), Cocelco (Colombia), CANTV and Telefonica del Peru. He was chairman of the board of Cointel (Argentina), TLD (Puerto Rico) and Telefonica Romania. He also was a board member of UNISOURCE, Telefonica Moviles, Pleyade, Antares and Casiopea. Santillana was named Trade Leader of the Year-1995 by U.S.Latin Trade. He also has published numerous books on the information superhighway, on economic and financial analysis of Spanish companies and other related subjects. Santillana has a degree in economics from the University of Barcelona and both a master's degree and Ph.D. in economics from Indiana University, Bloomington. He was awarded Fulbright and Juan March scholarships to study in the United States. He and his family will relocate to the United States and be based in Stamford.

Background on GTE

With revenues of $20 billion in 1995, GTE is one of the largest publicly held telecommunications companies in the world. It is also the largest U.S.-based local telephone company and a leading cellular-service provider -- with wireline and wireless operations that form a market area covering about one third of the country's population.

Outside the United States, where GTE has operated for more than 70 years, the company serves over 6 million customers. GTE manages major telecommunications operations and provides a broad array of services through BC Telecom in British Columbia, Canada; Quebec Telephone in Quebec, Canada; CODETEL in the Dominican Republic; and CANTV in Venezuela. GTE provides wireless services in Argentina through its investment in CTI and has formed a joint venture that is providing paging services in China. GTE also provides telecommunications products and services ranging from telephone directories to airborne communications in several countries throughout the world.

In addition to the New York Stock Exchange, GTE also is listed on the stock exchanges in Amsterdam, Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, London, Paris, Tokyo and Zurich.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Additional information about GTE can be found on the INTERNET at http://www.gte.com

CONTACT: Harvey W. Greisman, 203/965-2903

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