George S. Korda, PRESIDENT

George Korda began his communications career as a military journalist. From 1972 to 1974 he was assigned to The School Brigade at Ft. Benning, GA., where he reported on training activities of U.S. Army Rangers, airborne infantry, the U.S. Army Infantry School and other unit functions.

In 1974 he was assigned to the Chief of Public Affairs, U.S. Army, Europe in Heidelberg, Germany. He traveled throughout Europe writing for Stars & Stripes, Army Times, and numerous other military and civilian publications, including the Associated Press. He was also a radio correspondent for Armed Forces Network, Europe.

In 1977 Korda left the military and became a reporter for Today newspaper (now called Florida Today) in Brevard County, Florida. During his three years with the newspaper, which serves east central Florida, he covered such stories as the 1980 mass refugee boatlift exodus from Cuba, the first submarine launch of a Trident nuclear missile, and many stories related to America’s space program.

In 1981, Korda moved to Tennessee to become Director of Information for the State Department of Commerce and Insurance, which included the state fire marshal’s office and division of regulatory boards. He was frequently called on by the governor’s press secretary to act as spokesman during state government emergencies. These included prison shootings and disturbances, failures of financial institutions, natural disasters and criminal investigations.

In 1984, Korda served as press secretary for the Victor Ashe for U.S. Senate campaign. From 1984 -1987 he was with Dye, Van Mol & Lawrence Public Relations in Nashville, specializing in media relations. In 1987 he moved to Knoxville to become Director of Information and press secretary for Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe.

In 1992 he left the mayor’s office to become director of corporate communications for Regal Corporation. From March, 1996 to December, 2003, Korda was with The Ingram Group, a statewide public affairs firm. In January, 2003, he formed Korda Communications, his own public relations and communications consulting firm based in Knoxville.

Korda is political analyst for WATE-TV, Knoxville’s ABC-TV affiliate. He regularly guests on WATE’s public affairs program, “Tennessee This Week.” Korda hosts “State Your Case,” which airs noon – 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon.. He appears monthly on “Inside Politics” on WNOX’s “Hallerin Hill Show.” He writes a weekly column for Knoxnews.com, the Knoxville News-Sentinel’s website.