Al Sikes

Alfred C. Sikes divides his time between business consulting for the Hearst Corporation and board work. He chairs the Board of Trustees of The Trinity Forum.

He is the founder of the Reading Excellence and Discovery Foundation (READ), which uses a distinctive combination of personal and direct instruction in teaching at-risk children to read at grade level. Mr. Sikes, who chaired READ and remains on its board, was recognized for this work by the Manhattan Institute in 2004 as one of the nation’s foremost social entrepreneurs.

His work with the Hearst Corporation is a continuation of a relationship that began when he formed and led Hearst Interactive Media from 1993 through 2001.

Mr. Sikes’ career has spanned law, business, and government. Prior to joining the federal government in 1986, he sold a broadcast company that he began in 1978. 

On the federal government level, Mr. Sikes held the post of Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in President George H. W. Bush’s administration. While at the FCC, he was instrumental in setting the stage for the birth of new satellite and cellular-based services and digital TV.

From 1986 to 1989 he served in President Reagan’s administration as the head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration in the Commerce Department. He played a leading role in telecommunications trade negotiations while directing a policy process to shape telecommunications development called Telecom 2000.

Mr. Sikes’ career began in his home state of Missouri where he served in state government as an Assistant Attorney General and later headed the Missouri Department of Consumer Affairs, Regulation, and Licensing. 

He also serves on the Board of Directors of Gather.com Inc. and the Student Sponsor Partners.