BROOMFIELD, Colo., February 28, 2005 – Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) announced today that Admiral James O. Ellis Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.), and Dr. Albert C. Yates, former president of Colorado State University, have been named to the company's Board of Directors effective March 17, 2005.
"I am very pleased to welcome Jim Ellis and Al Yates to the Level 3 board," said Walter Scott Jr., chairman of Level 3. "Both men have built long and distinguished careers in their respective fields, and Level 3 will benefit from the experience and perspective each brings to the company."
Admiral Ellis is former commander of the United States Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, where he had global responsibility for strategic warning systems, integrated missile defense, space operations, and other critical national defense functions. Prior to that, he served as commander in chief of U.S. naval forces in Europe and as commander in chief of Allied forces in southern Europe. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds master's degrees in aerospace engineering and aeronautical systems from the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of West Florida. He also serves on the board of Lockheed Martin Corporation.
"Level 3 has built an industry-leading position as a provider of wholesale network services to communications companies around the world," Ellis said. "I look forward to working with Walter Scott and the other members of the board to help the company capitalize on future opportunities that create value for investors."
Dr. Yates served as president of Colorado State University from 1990 to 2003. He is credited with revitalizing the campus, boosting academic performance and achieving record levels of alumni and state support. He holds degrees in chemistry and mathematics from the University of Memphis and a doctorate in theoretical chemical physics from Indiana University. Dr. Yates serves on the boards of Molson Coors Brewing Company and Startek Inc.
"I'm gratified to be joining the Level 3 board," Yates said. "The Level 3 senior management team is widely regarded as among the best in the industry, and I look forward to working with them at a time of unprecedented change and opportunity in the telecom industry."
Both Admiral Ellis and Dr. Yates will join the Level 3 board as Class II directors, with terms expiring at the upcoming Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If re-elected at the meeting, they will serve three-year terms expiring in 2008. With these additions, the Level 3 board has 10 directors.
About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT), an international communications company, operates one of the largest Internet backbones in the world, connecting 180 markets in 18 countries. The company serves a broad range of wholesale, enterprise and content customers with a comprehensive suite of services including: Internet Protocol (IP) services, broadband transport and infrastructure services, colocation services, voice and voice over IP services, content delivery and media distribution services. These services provide the building blocks to enable Level 3’s customers to meet their growing demands for advanced communications solutions. The company’s Web address is www.Level3.com.
"Level 3 Communications,” "Level 3," the red 3D brackets and the Level 3 Communications logo are registered service marks of Level 3 Communications, LLC in the United States and/or other countries. Level 3 services are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. Any other service, product or company names recited herein may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statement
Some of the statements that we make in this press release are forward looking in nature. These statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. These forward looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside our control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. The most important factors that could prevent us from achieving our stated goals include, but are not limited to our ability to: successfully integrate acquisitions; increase the volume of traffic on our network; defend our intellectual property and proprietary rights; develop new products and services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; successfully complete commercial testing of new technology and information systems to support new products and services; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; and meet all of the terms and conditions of our debt obligations. Additional information concerning these and other important factors can be found within Level 3’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Level 3 is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
