Obra S. Kernodle, IV

A graduate of Florida A&M University, Obra Kernodle IV found his passion for improving the community at a young age. The son of Leslie Benton Miller and Obra S. Kernodle III, it was his father’s active role in the community and political arenas that made Kernodle want to follow in his father’s footsteps. Kernodle began his career when he went to work as a youth director at the Germantown YMCA. Soon after, Kernodle became a legislative aide in the office of then City Councilman Ángel Ortíz. Kernodle got his start in campaigning as the political director for District Attorney Seth Williams in 2009. In 2010, he went on to be the Southeast political director for Dan Onorato’s gubernatorial run. In 2011, he ran the Political Department for Mayor Michael Nutter’s reelection effort. During President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign in 2012, he was once again tapped for southeast political director. Kernodle currently wears two hats as both the statewide political director and deputy campaign manager for Tom Wolf for Governor. Since joining the “Wolf Pack” in May of 2013, he has played an integral part in Wolf’s impressive come-from-behind victory to become Pennsylvania’s Democratic nominee for governor. --- U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D-2) has stepped down from his position on the SEPTA board and Gov. Tom Wolf appointed his deputy chief of staff Obra S. Kernodle IV to fill the vacant position. Wolf thanked Evans for his service on the SEPTA board in a press release. Evans helped create the Public Transportation Assistance Fund in 1991 and lead the establishment of a Transportation Funding and Reform Commission to stabilize transit funding in 2005. He was also instrumental in resolving the week-long 2016 SEPTA transit strike. Kernodle became deputy chief of staff for the Wolf administration after service as a senior advisor for Wolf’s transition team. Kernodle also worked for former-Mayor Michael Nutter’s administration and served as the Pennsylvania Southeast Political Director for former-President Barack Obama’s reelection effort. A spokesperson for Evans said the Congressman enjoyed his time on the SEPTA board and will continue to be active in transportation and infrastructure. http://www.phillytrib.com/news/gov-wolf-appoints-obra-kernodle-iv-to-septa-board/article_33538d60-6499-504a-a06c-434277b501bf.html Graduated from Florida A&M; graduated in 2001. First job out of college was Youth Director at Germantown YMCA. Began career as legislative aide in officer of Philly Councilmember Angel Ortiz. Also served as the political director for Seth Williams 2009 campaign for the District Attorney of Philadelphia, and southeast political director for Dan Onorato's Gubernatorial run in 2010. http://www.cityandstatepa.com/content/meet-inaugural-40-under-40-rising-stars; http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/phillytrib.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/eedition/d/7b/d7bc3f03-da07-5c0d-9d13-c026a2184352/5419f9f1968e9.pdf.pdf