Kathleen Quinn Abernathy (born 1956) is an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

telecommunications technology executive and

lawyer A lawyer is a person who practices law. The role of a lawyer varies greatly across different legal jurisdictions. A lawyer can be classified as an advocate, attorney, barrister, canon lawyer, civil law notary, counsel, counselor, solic ...

who served as a Commissioner of the

Federal Communications Commission The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across the United States. The FCC maintains jurisdiction ...

(FCC) from 2001 to 2005. Following government service, she joined the board of Frontier Communications while also returning to the practice of law. In 2010, she became a senior executive at Frontier and she served variously as Chief Legal Officer, Executive Vice President of External Affairs and Chair, America's Best Communities Prize Competition. In 2012, she joined the board of ISO New England, a regional energy transmission organization. She graduated from

Marquette University Marquette University () is a Private university, private Society of Jesus, Jesuit research university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Established by the Society of Jesus as Marquette College on August 28, 1881, it was founded by John Henni, John Martin ...

''magna cum laude'', and from

Catholic University Catholic higher education includes universities, colleges, and other institutions of higher education privately run by the Catholic Church, typically by religious institutes. Those tied to the Holy See are specifically called pontifical univ ...

's Columbus School of Law. She also served as an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University and Catholic University's Columbus School of Law.

Early career

Prior to her appointment to the Federal Communications Commission, Abernathy was Vice President of Public Policy at BroadBand Office Communications; a partner at the law firm of Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP; Vice President for Regulatory Affairs at

U S WEST US West, Inc. (stylized as US WEST) was one of seven Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs, also referred to as "Baby Bells"), created in 1983 under the Modification of Final Judgement (''United States v. Western Electric Co., Inc.'' 552 ...

; and Vice President for Federal Regulatory Affairs at AirTouch. Earlier in her career, she was a Legal Advisor to FCC Chairman James H. Quello, Legal Advisor to Commissioner Sherrie P. Marshall, and Special Assistant to the FCC General Counsel.

FCC appointment

Abernathy was nominated to the FCC by President George W. Bush on May 1, 2001. She was sworn on May 31, 2001 and served until December 9, 2005. During her tenure, Abernathy chaired the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service and participated in numerous international bilateral and multilateral negotiations, including the 2002 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference and the 2003 ITU World Radiocommunications Conference. She also was appointed and served as Chair of the 2004 ITU Global Symposium for Regulators.

Family

Abernathy is married and has one daughter.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Abernathy, Kathleen Q. Members of the Federal Communications Commission 1956 births Living people Marquette University alumni Columbus School of Law alumni Lawyers from Louisville, Kentucky