STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 06, 2003 -- Xerox Corporation today announced Philip Harlow as its chief diversity and employee advocacy officer, effective immediately. Harlow will direct Xerox's diversity strategies and "voice of the employee" initiatives, as well as support the company's Executive Diversity Council, minority supplier programs, employee caucus groups, training and development, university relations, and recruitment activities. "Xerox's commitment to maintaining an inclusive environment and a diverse work force is a cornerstone of our culture; valuing and respecting our employees is a core value," said Patricia M. Nazemetz, vice president, human resources, to whom Harlow will report. "Phil's extensive expertise and leadership will enhance our efforts to ensure Xerox is an employer and partner of choice." Harlow joins Xerox from Bausch & Lomb Inc., where he served as vice president, human resources, in support of marketing, sales and customer service operations in the Americas region. From 1998 to 2001, he was vice president, HR services, at Merck & Co. Inc. and responsible for corporate strategy and program development including benefits, compensation, diversity, health services and employee relations. Prior to Merck, Harlow enjoyed a 25-year career in HR at Xerox Corporation. He joined Xerox in 1973 as an employment specialist in Webster, N.Y., and assumed increasingly responsible HR operations and staff assignments within Xerox field, engineering and manufacturing divisions. From 1994 to 1998, Harlow served as vice president, human resources, for the Office Document Products group. Harlow, 51, attended the Harvard Executive Business program in 1999 and is a graduate of LeMoyne College in Syracuse, N.Y., where he earned a bachelor's degree in labor and industrial relations in 1973.