Kathleen Q. Abernathy was the Commissioner of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from 2001-05. As Commissioner, she was responsible for representing the public interest in each of the policy areas under the FCC's jurisdiction.

These responsibilities included regulation of broadcast television, cable, satellite, domestic and international telecommunications, wireless telephony, consumer protection and education and general enforcement of Commission rules.

Prior to her FCC appointment, Abernathy was Vice President of Public Policy at BroadBand Office Communications, Inc. Before that, she was a partner at the law firm of Wilkinson Barker Knauer. Commissioner Abernathy's experience also includes serving as Vice President for Regulatory Affairs at U.S. West, Inc. and as Vice President for Federal Regulatory at AirTouch Communications, Inc.

In addition to her experience in the private sector, Commissioner Abernathy held several positions at the FCC. She was a Telecommunications Legal Advisor to FCC Chairman James H. Quello, Legal Advisor to Commissioner Sherrie P. Marshall, and Special Assistant to the FCC's General Counsel.

Abernathy is a graduate of Marquette University, where she received a Bachelor of Sciences degree. She received a Juris Doctorate from The Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.