Viacom’s board today announced the creation of the new position of lead independent director — and the role was immediately filled by ex-Verizon CFO Frederic V. Salerno.
In the new role, Salerno will coordinate the activities of the independent directors and to serve as a liaison between company Executive Chairman, President and CEO Philippe Dauman and other independent directors. The idea is to enhance Viacom’s corporate governance practices.
Salerno is a retired vice chairman and chief financial officer of Verizon Communications Inc. and predecessor companies Bell Atlantic and NYNEX.
In addition to Viacom, he’s currently a director for Akamai Technologies, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.,