Drawing heavily on MCI’s former international leadership team, Verizon Business today announced its new international business organization, to be headed by Rory Cole as chief operating officer.

Cole, former CFO for MCI in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), heads a group structure around three regions – Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas/Emerging Markets. The organization is set up, however, so that members of the international team report to their corresponding executive within the Verizon Business Group, headed by President John Killian.

Other MCI leaders moving into similar leadership positions include: Marketing, John Irvine,; Operations and Technology, Steve Hewson,; Information Technology, Mike Young,; Legal and Regulatory, Craig Silliman; Human Resources, Trevor Severgnini; and Communications, Edwart Lichtenauer. Mark Kearns, formerly head of consolidations and reporting for Verizon Communications, becomes head of Finance for Verizon Business International.

The group will be based in Reading, England.

“Verizon Business is committed to strengthening and expanding its global capabilities, operating effectiveness, business performance and customer satisfaction worldwide,” said Wayne Huyard, executive vice president of global sales and service, in a prepared statement. “With today's announcement, we have the structure and leadership team to deliver world-class service and solutions to our international customers.”