Phil Seskin, Director

Prior to joining Avista in 2012 as an Industry Executive, Mr. Seskin spent more than two decades at Verizon Communications, most recently as a Senior Vice President of Corporate Development. At Verizon, Mr. Seskin worked on initiatives that spanned more than 20 countries and involved strategy, acquisitions, operating issues, valuation, cross-border currency, tax and regulatory issues. Mr. Seskin also played a significant role in securing board, regulatory, and other necessary approvals in transactions. Prior to his role as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, Mr. Seskin held a number of positions at Verizon, including Vice President, Corporate Development, Managing Director, Mergers and Acquisitions; and Managing Director, Financial Planning and Investment Analysis. Mr. Seskin also founded Verizon Strategic Investments, the company’s venture capital operation. Mr. Seskin was instrumental in building new companies and creating shareholder value through mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, organic investment, operating initiatives, and divestitures, totaling over $150 billion in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Mr. Seskin serves as a Director of Telular Corporation, and is a Trustee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City. He has also served as a Director of Databank Holdings and as a Trustee of New York Downtown Hospital until its merger with New York Presbyterian. Mr. Seskin received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Adelphi University in 1985 and a Master of Business Administration in Finance in 1992 from Hofstra University. Mr. Seskin was selected to serve on our Board of Directors because of his industry knowledge and operating expertise developed over years of experience in the industry and his leadership skills and strategic guidance.