LOS ANGELES—AVN Media Network’s long-serving editor and legal writer Mark Kernes has been named the first-ever director emeritus for the Free Speech Coalition, the national association of the adult entertainment industry.
Kernes reports that he just received the plaque that makes his title official. The designation recognizes his work for the organization for the past several years. Kernes became a member of the FSC in 1999 and was voted secretary in 2007, a post he held until the most recent elections. Though Kernes stepped down as an officer of FSC, he continues to serve as an advisor.
Eric Paul Leue issued the honor before he stepped down as executive director for the organization.
“It is a tremendous pleasure to send you, as my last official duty as Executive Director of the Free Speech Coalition, the enclosed plaque, honoring you as the organization's first Director Emeritus,” Leue wrote in a letter to Kernes. “I am grateful for all your hard work for this organization, your dedication, commitment, and the guidance and insight you offered me during my tenure.”
The plaque, signed by Lee and Jeffery J. Douglas, chair of the board of directors, reads as follows: “Resolved, the Board of Directors of the Free Speech Coalition recognizes the lifelong commitment of Mark Kernes to improving public understanding of adult industry issues through his exceptional journalism, and honors his lengthy tenure as a Director of FSC, especially his extraordinary recordkeeping during his decade as Board Secretary. In recognition of his matchless contributions, the Board designates him the title of Director Emeritus, the first person to be so honored.”
Kernes was surprised and pleased by plaque and designation.
“I'm extremely proud to have served on the Free Speech Board since 1999, and to have helped the organization serve the adult community by keeping abreast of legal and societal threats to the industry,” he said. “I’ve networked with company owners, attorneys and performers who've been board members, and hopefully represented the industry in a manner that is both informed and activist, especially around the threats from Measure B and Prop 60.”
Kernes started with AVN in 1983, joining the staff full time in 1991. Today, he continues to serve as a contributing editor and chief legal analyst for the publication.
