The business affairs of BellSouth are conducted under the direction of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Georgia Business Corporation Code, as implemented by the Company`s Articles of Incorporation and By-laws. The role of the Board of Directors is to effectively govern the affairs of the Company for the benefit of its shareholders and, to the extent appropriate under Georgia law, other constituencies, which include the Company`s employees, customers, suppliers, and the communities in which it does business. The Board strives to ensure the success and continuity of the Company`s business through the election of qualified management. It is also responsible for ensuring that the Company`s activities are conducted in a responsible and ethical manner.
BellSouth has a diverse Board that we believe is one of the strongest and most independent in corporate America. BellSouth Chief Executive Officer Duane Ackerman and President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Feidler are the only Directors who are BellSouth employees. Our Board includes nine current or retired CEOs, including five from Fortune 200 companies. Distinguished by a depth of experience in a wide variety of challenging industries and professions, the Board has valuable expertise in banking, economics, the law, real estate, insurance and other fields critical to the effective governance and management of a multi-billion dollar enterprise. A comprehensive Code of Conduct has been in place since BellSouth incorporated in 1983. A confidential telephone hotline for anonymous reporting of complaints and concerns was established in 1991.