Bruce S. Gordon, assumed the position of President & CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on August 1, 2005 after a 35 year career in the telecommunications industry. Before retiring in December 2003, Bruce was president of Retail Markets Group for Verizon Communications, responsible for the company's consumer and small business customers. He also directed corporate advertising and brand management. Gordon managed a 35,000 person work force and was accountable for $23B in revenue.