Meet Frances Kernodle

Frances Kernodle, President of FKA, Inc., brings more than twenty-five years of experience in marketing and communications, research and consulting services. Since establishing FKA in 1991, Kernodle has worked to support numerous marketing, research and communications initiatives at public and private sector organizations in the U.S. and abroad, including the Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration; the Department of Energy, Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL); the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); the Smithsonian Institution; Henrico County Economic Development Authority; Fairfax County Economic Development Authority; the Greater Richmond Partnership; and the Development Bank of Japan.

In 2003 and 2005-2006, Kernodle led the FKA team to assist the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in concert with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in developing and implementing Transit Watch, a public awareness and outreach campaign for safety and security. Most recently, Kernodle presented Transit Watch to participants at the 2006 American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Marketing and Communications Conference in Phoenix, Arizona and the 2006 APTA Bus and Paratransit Conference in Anaheim, California. Over the years, she has chaired and participated in various committees and task forces related to transportation, safety/security, and marketing/communications issues, including the APTA Marketing & Communications Steering Committee, its Safety and Security Task Force and other committees and panels.

Prior to founding FKA, Kernodle was Vice President and Director of Marketing for a multinational engineering and environmental services firm. During that time, she chaired the Trade and Development Program and Export-Import Bank Committee of the International Engineering Committee (IEC) for the American Consulting Engineers Council in Washington, D.C. and the International Trade and Competitiveness Committee. In addition, Kernodle co-chaired the International Committee of the Washington Building Congress (WBC) and served on the Asia Task Force of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

From 1982 to 1985 , she was Director of Far East Affairs for a regional economic development authority in Virginia and maintained a consulting relationship in Japan's steel manufacturing industry. From 1976 to late 1981, Kernodle resided in Tokyo, developing her career as an instructor of English at Jissen University in Tokyo and also as a communications consultant in Japan's steel industry.

Kernodle earned her undergraduate degree in English with a minor in Biology from the University of Florida and her Master's degree from the University of Southern California.

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