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BellSouth-Mississippi President Leads International Volunteer Organization JACKSON, Miss., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- John M. McCullouch, president of BellSouth-Mississippi operations, has been elected as Chairman of the Board for the TelecomPioneers. TelecomPioneers is the largest industry-related volunteer organization in the world, with chapters located throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Founded in 1911, TelecomPioneers, formerly known as the Telephone Pioneers of America, is comprised of nearly 620,000 current and retired telecommunications employees who have joined together to make their communities better places in which to live and work. TelecomPioneers has its international headquarters in Denver, Colorado and is designated as a 501(c)3 organization. "Pioneers have chosen wisely in electing John McCullouch," said BellSouth Chairman Duane Ackerman. "John knows full well the value of giving back to our communities and has long been a dedicated supporter of Pioneers and their volunteer efforts." McCullouch's two-year term as TelecomPioneers Chairman runs from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2008. He was elected through a balloting process of Pioneer leaders. "It is an honor to serve this exceptional group of volunteers," said McCullouch. "TelecomPioneers will continue to seek ways by which we can provide the best volunteer service possible. Our members are determined to make a difference in their communities." McCullouch began his telecommunications career in 1979 as an attorney for South Central Bell in Jackson, Mississippi. In 1986, he became the general counsel for BellSouth in Mississippi, which was the position he held prior to being named state president in 2000. "John offers Pioneers vast experience as a leader in the telecommunications industry as well as a solid working knowledge of our organization," said TelecomPioneers President Marty Lee. "I am confident in his ability to lead Pioneers to great achievements in the future." A Mississippi native, McCullouch received a B.A. degree in Political Science from Mississippi State University in 1971 and a J.D. degree from the University of Mississippi in 1978. In law school, he was elected Student Body President and received the Dean's Distinguished Service Award. Prior to law school, McCullouch served in the U.S. Army for two years as a personnel specialist assigned to the Pentagon, and then worked in sales for more than four years. In 2005 McCullouch was selected as an inductee into the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame - one of only four inductees that are selected each year based on business and civic contributions to the state. McCullouch is heavily involved in economic development efforts in the state and serves on the boards of directors for the Mississippi Economic Council, the Mississippi World Trade Center, and the Mississippi Partnership for Economic Development, of which he is Vice Chairman. He also serves on the boards of directors for several business organizations including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Mississippi Technology Alliance, and Trustmark National Bank. McCullouch's community and civic activities include serving on the BellSouth Foundation Board of Trustees and his current role as Vice Chairman of the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi. He is also President-Elect of the Downtown Jackson Rotary Club, Mississippi's oldest and largest Rotary Club. McCullouch serves on: the Resource Development Advisory Board for the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation; the B.B. King Museum Board; the Community Advisory Board for the Junior League of Jackson; and as Immediate Past Chairman of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mississippi. Previously, McCullouch served: as Vice President of the BellSouth Pioneers, Mississippi Chapter; as Corporate Chairman for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's 2006 Mississippi Walk to Cure Diabetes; and on the Boards of Directors for the Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce and Stewpot Community Services. In 2004 he was recognized by Goodwill Industries for his many years of community service when he received a "Volunteer of the Year" award from the organization. McCullouch is past president of the Hinds County Bar Association; the University of Mississippi Law Alumni Association, the Mississippi Corporate Counsel Association; and the Mississippi Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. McCullouch and his wife, Shelia, have three children and three grandchildren and reside in Ridgeland, Mississippi. About BellSouth Corporation BellSouth Corporation (NYSE:BLS) is a Fortune 500 communications company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. BellSouth has joint control and 40 percent ownership of Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless voice and data provider with 58.7 million customers. Backed by award-winning customer service, BellSouth offers the most comprehensive and innovative package of voice and data services available in the market. Through BellSouth Answers(R), residential and small business customers can bundle their local and long distance service with dial-up and high-speed DSL Internet access, satellite television and Cingular(R) Wireless service. For businesses, BellSouth provides secure, reliable local and long distance voice and data networking solutions. BellSouth also offers print and online directory advertising through The Real Yellow Pages(R) and YELLOWPAGES.COM(TM) from BellSouth. BellSouth believes that diversity and fostering an inclusive environment are critical in maintaining a competitive advantage in today's global marketplace. More information about BellSouth can be found at http://www.bellsouth.com/. DATASOURCE: BellSouth Corporation CONTACT: Mike Walker, Director of External Affairs of BellSouth, +1-601-961-1160, or ; or Bill Maroney, Communications Manager of TelecomPioneers, +1-303-571-9272, or Web site: http://www.bellsouth.com/ http://www.telecompioneers.org/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/095650.html

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