Ron Ciardiello has more than twenty years experience developing new markets and improving profitability for major companies with a focus on developing and implementing strategies to grow revenues. As Vice President of Corporate Development and General Counsel for Verizon Communication’s international information services operations, Ron grew revenues from $25 million to over $500 million dollars in five years through targeted acquisitions, launching start-up operations, and improving the performance of existing operations.

Ron also founded a consulting company where he directed a team in a year-long effort to turn around a major publisher in Korea, focusing on market segmentation, sales canvass planning, sales training and new sales channels. As a result of his efforts, his client had the second highest revenue growth of all similar publishers in the world.

Ron also played a leading role in launching Verizon’s on-line information service. During his tenure he negotiated the purchase of a significant interest in a major internet search engine prior to its successful IPO. He also has negotiated numerous types of complex commercial agreements, such as acquisitions, joint ventures, software licenses, joint marketing agreements, traffic agreements, major vendor contracts, advertising agreements, etc.

Ron graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University majoring in labor relations and economics. He then received his J.D. degree from Northwestern University. As an attorney, he worked for a major law firm, Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago, IL, representing corporations focusing on employment and commercial litigation.