Verizon’s CEO turned down the job several times before leaving retirement on his ranch: ‘I came in with a little bit of a bad attitude’

Dan Schulman, once a CEO of PayPal, declined the offer to return to Verizon's CEO position multiple times before eventually accepting. He had retired to a Montana ranch with his family, enjoying his life away from the high-pressure corporate world. However, Verizon was facing significant challenges, including losing market share and struggling with bureaucracy.

The CEO believed he could still make a difference and, encouraged by his wife, agreed to take on the role in October 2025. Schulman admitted to having a "bad attitude" when he started but has since grown to love his new role. His approach involves changing the company's culture, making quicker decisions, and prioritizing customer needs over internal procedures.

Despite initial resistance, Verizon has seen positive results, with a significant increase in customer lines, lower promotional costs, and improved cash flow. Schulman is committed to this transformation and expects it to take about three years to bring the company back to its former glory.