ASHBURN, Va. -- MCI (WCOEQ, MCWEQ) today named Anastasia "Stasia" Kelly as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, effective immediately. As the former general counsel for Sears, Roebuck & Co., and before that Fannie Mae, Kelly brings more than 23 years of legal experience to MCI.

Kelly reports directly to Chairman and CEO Michael Capellas and oversees the company's legal, regulatory and public policy initiatives. She is based at MCI's corporate headquarters in Ashburn, Va.

"Bringing on a highly-qualified and reputable executive like Stasia shows that MCI is working hard to rebuild its management team so that we are well positioned to compete upon emergence from Chapter 11," said Michael D. Capellas, MCI chairman and CEO. "Stasia's credibility among her peers and the legal community really strengthens our overall management team. Having spent 15 years of her career in the Washington D.C. area, she will be extremely helpful in leading our efforts in the regulatory and public policy arena," said Capellas.

"MCI is a company built on a solid foundation, with tremendous assets, a commitment to innovation and a competitive business model," said Kelly. "I am confident that the new management team, under Michael's leadership, is committed to doing all the right things. This is an opportunity for me to play a part in the largest corporate turnaround in the history of American business."

While at Sears, Roebuck & Co., Kelly developed the company's legal strategy and was part of the Operating Committee charged with crafting and executing against the business strategy for the $40 billion retail and financial services entity. Prior to arriving at Sears in 1999, she was the senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Fannie Mae. Her experience at Fannie Mae tested her ability to maneuver in a regulated environment and in the public policy arena.

Prior to her time at Fannie Mae, Kelly was a partner and associate with the Washington D.C. law firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering LLP, where she represented a number of corporate clients in transactions, as well as bankruptcy, and developed an expertise in technology. She began her legal career at the Dallas law firm of Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal in 1981.

She is a distinguished member of the Women's Bar Association of Chicago and was awarded the Myra Blackwell Award for achievement as a lawyer in 2001. Last year, she earned the National Organization for Women Legal Education and Defense Fund Aiming High Award. She sits on three boards of directors, including Owens-Illinois, American Corporate Counsel Association and Equal Justice Works. She is a graduate of the George Washington University Law Center and Trinity College. She is a trustee for Trinity College and sits on the Board of Trustees for the Brookfield Zoo. Originally from Boston, Mass., Kelly spent 15 years of her career in the Washington D.C. area. She is married and has twin teenage boys.

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