WASHINGTON D.C. - The Progress & Freedom Foundation this week elected Kathleen Abernathy to its Board of Directors. Abernathy served as Commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission from 2001 to 2005. Abernathy is credited with promoting regulatory symmetry for communications services during her time at the Commission to encourage competition within the sector.

"I'm delighted to welcome Ms. Abernathy to the PFF board," said Dr. George A. (Jay) Keyworth II, PFF's Chairman. "Her experience both within the Commission and in private practice will help successfully guide PFF's efforts in promoting wise public policy." PFF President Ken Ferree added, "Kathleen is not only smart and well respected, she is also a delight to work with. I couldn't be more pleased with the board's action."

"I am very pleased that The Progress & Freedom Foundation asked me to join their Board of Directors," stated Abernathy. "I have long been a supporter of the free market ideals that drive the Foundation and I am eager to lend my support to the talented group of scholars at PFF."

Abernathy is currently a Partner at the firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, where she specializes in telecommunications and media regulatory issues. Prior to joining Akin Gump, Ms. Abernathy served a four year term as a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. While at the Commission, Abernathy chaired the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service and participated in numerous international bilateral and multilateral negotiations. Prior to the FCC, Ms. Abernathy served as Vice President of Public Policy at BroadBand Office Communications, as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at US West and as Vice President, Federal Regulatory at AirTouch. Earlier in her career, she served as a legal advisor to two FCC Commissioners and as a special assistant to the agency's general counsel. In addition to the PFF board, Ms. Abernathy serves on the board of Citizens Communications; on the advisory board of ictQATAR, the telecommunications regulator in Qatar; and on the board of the John Gardner Fellowship Association, Stanford University. Ms. Abernathy received her B.A. magna cum laude from Marquette University and her J.D. from Catholic University's Columbus School of Law in 1983. She is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and the Federal Communications Bar Association.

The Progress & Freedom Foundation is a market-oriented think tank that studies the digital revolution and its implications for public policy. It is a 501(c)(3) research & educational organization.