Spotlight On: Leigh Anne Lanier, Market President, Verizon Consumer Group Atlantic South Market
February 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Leigh Anne Lanier, market president for Verizon Consumer Group’s Atlantic South market, discussed how the company’s regional structure enhances its ability to serve diverse communities. She highlighted localized investments, disaster preparedness, small business support, innovation, and philanthropic efforts.
How does Verizon’s regional structure and localized approach help the company better connect with and serve its diverse customer base?
Under the umbrella of Verizon, we have different branches catering to specific needs. There’s the Business group, which focuses on our business clients, and our Network team, which is responsible for building and maintaining connectivity. My role as Market President falls under the Consumer division, where we serve the company’s retail customers.
About a year and a half ago, Verizon restructured its operations into six markets across the country. Each market has a president, and I oversee the Atlantic South Market, which includes Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina. I’m responsible for the branded fleet, consumer employees, and meeting the needs of our customers within these communities.
We are proud that our employees are local to the communities they serve. In areas like South Florida, the vast majority are bilingual or native Spanish speakers. We prioritize hiring team members who understand and represent their communities. This approach enables us to better serve our customers by addressing their specific needs and building strong community ties. For example, we lean heavily on employee feedback to understand what each community requires and then translate that into actionable investments.
What are some significant milestones and achievements for Verizon in the regions you oversee?
We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved in South Florida over the past year and a half. The move to a market structure has brought a localized approach to our national strategy, which has helped us better connect with the communities we serve. People see us not just as a national brand but as a local partner.
One major accomplishment is our “Love Letters to South Florida” initiative, where we’ve worked with local artists like Roc Sol (Adrian Gonzalez), to create murals that reflect the vibrancy and uniqueness of their communities. These murals, completed in Midtown Miami, Coconut Grove, and Hialeah, mirror the local culture. For instance, the Coconut Grove mural features a family with their dogs, reflecting the nearby dog park. The Hialeah mural depicts a child and their grandfather, celebrating family ties in the community. We’ve taken this further by incorporating VR technology into the murals, providing interactive 3D experiences that make the art dynamic and engaging.
For more consumer value, we’ve introduced plans tailored to the needs of South Florida’s diverse population. For example, our Global Choice plan offers 60 free minutes to Cuba — a key offering for this region, where connectivity with Cuba is important to many residents. This differentiation has been well-received and reflects our commitment to serving specific community needs.
From a network perspective, Verizon has invested over $104 million in Miami-Dade and Broward counties since 2020, making it one of the largest investments in the country. This includes expanding our 5G Ultra Wideband technology and supporting major events like the Miami Grand Prix and Miami Dolphins games at Hard Rock Stadium. These efforts ensure robust connectivity and reinforce our presence in the community.
How is Verizon advancing technology and innovation?
Verizon is heavily investing in AI, with our CEO setting a goal to become a global leader in this field. Many of our AI capabilities are already in place, often seamlessly integrated into customer interactions. For example, our My Verizon app and retail tools utilize AI to enhance user experience and streamline services.
A standout innovation is our AI Personal Shopper. When a customer visits our retail stores, the AI analyzes their account usage and household needs to recommend the best value plans or services. This technology simplifies the decision-making process and provides tailored solutions, making interactions less intimidating and more efficient.
Beyond AI, we’re incorporating connectivity into every facet of life — mobile, home, entertainment, and more. Our goal is to provide customers with seamless solutions that integrate all their connectivity needs, backed by cutting-edge technology and unparalleled value.
How is Verizon investing in security, safety, and youth development in the region?
One area I’m particularly proud of is our investment in youth and education. While we’ve discussed our focus on customers and employees, our efforts also extend to empowering the next generation, especially in South Florida. Through our Verizon Innovative Learning Labs program, we’ve partnered with 32 schools, reaching 39,000 students across the region. This initiative bridges the digital divide by providing access to technology that students may not have at home, helping them explore fields like AI and technology innovation.
Additionally, we’ve established eight 5G Labs, through the 5G Innovation Hub Program, where students can learn more about cutting-edge technology. These labs not only inspire students but also support small businesses in the area. Small businesses are the backbone of South Florida’s economy, and we’ve committed to investing in their digital readiness, with a goal of supporting 5,000 businesses. This dual focus on education and business makes a significant impact on the community and highlights Verizon’s unique approach.
Our Verizon Innovative Learning Labs are a game changer for underserved communities in South Florida. I had the privilege of attending a ribbon cutting for a new Verizon Innovative Learning Lab with the Mayor of Kendall and several board members, where we saw firsthand how these labs are transforming education.
Students in these programs — many of whom are first-generation Americans or naturalized citizens — gain access to advanced technology that’s often not available until college. They’re learning to code, mastering technical skills, and preparing for a variety of futures, whether in trade programs, community colleges, or four-year institutions.
This initiative reflects our holistic approach to community development. By empowering children with cutting-edge technology, supporting women leaders, and helping small businesses thrive through our free program designed by and for small businesses – we’re creating opportunities across every layer of the community.
How do you stay connected with the communities you serve in South Florida?
Although I oversee a large area, I make it a priority to spend time in South Florida, visiting the region about once a month. Being there in person allows me to learn directly from the community. Beyond our 12 direct distribution points, we focus on bringing Verizon to the people. We sponsor and participate in festivals, fairs, and other local events. In 2024 alone, we sponsored over 100 community events in the Greater Miami, West Palm, and Fort Lauderdale areas.
One example is our use of branded Verizon step vans at these events. These mobile units allow us to connect directly with residents, showcase our services, and hear their feedback firsthand. This direct engagement has been invaluable in shaping our strategy and ensuring we’re meeting community needs. Verizon’s partnerships with Miami Art Week, Carnaval on the Mile, and 305 Day provide ample opportunity to immerse ourselves in the vibrancy of the area and strengthen our ties with local residents.
How does Verizon support small businesses in South Florida?
Small businesses are critical to South Florida’s economy, and we’ve dedicated a team to support them. While this team operates outside my direct organization, we work closely together to provide value and ensure small businesses are prepared for the digital world. Whether a business owner visits one of our distribution points or we meet them on-site, our representatives identify the best solutions for both personal and business needs. Our teams are committed to providing our small business customers with a suite of integrated tools that will give them the technological edge they need to succeed.
We leverage tools like AI to offer tailored recommendations, ensuring small business owners receive comprehensive, unified support rather than needing to navigate multiple entities, including mobility, connectivity, and cybersecurity. This holistic approach includes network benefits, competitive pricing, and customer service that stands out from the competition.
Small businesses make up a significant portion of our sales mix — higher in South Florida than anywhere else in the Southeast. Our goal is to continue this momentum, aiming to help over 5,000 small businesses become digitally ready. Their success is intertwined with ours, and we are committed to fostering innovation and growth in this space.
What’s your vision for South Florida over the next decade, and how will Verizon contribute to it?
South Florida is one of our top investment priorities, and that’s not going to change. We’ve already invested more in Miami than in any other tier-one city in the Southeast, and we recognize the cultural diversity and growing business landscape as key strengths. Our vision is for Verizon to be the first choice for families, businesses, and communities as they grow.
We’ll continue expanding our network, focusing on the latest 5G Ultra Wideband technology to ensure connectivity for mobile, home, and business users. From a distribution perspective, we plan to grow our footprint significantly, with 11 new distribution points already planned for early 2025. This is part of our long-term commitment to being present in the communities we serve.
Additionally, we’re committed to celebrating and investing in the arts and education. Our mural initiative that I mentioned earlier, “Love Letters to the Community,” will continue to highlight the vibrancy of South Florida through art. Over the next few years, we aim to complete 10 murals, incorporating interactive 3D elements and supporting local artists.
Finally, we’re focused on evolving our value proposition to meet the unique needs of South Florida residents. Initiatives like our Global Choice plan, which provides connectivity with countries like Cuba, are just the beginning. We’re listening to feedback and will continue developing personalized solutions that reflect the priorities of the communities we serve.
Images provided by Verizon
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