Alfred Calvin Sikes

Background

Sikes, Alfred Calvin was born on December 16, 1939 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States. Son of William Kendall and Marcia (Weber) Sikes.

Education

AB, Westminster College, 1961. Bachelor of Laws, University Missouri, 1964. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Westminster College.

Career

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree for political science from Westminster College in 1961 and an Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1964. In 2000, Sikes founded the non-profit Reading Excellence and Discovery Foundation and served as chairman of the Trinity Forum"s board of trustees. Sikes worked at Allen, Woolsey and Fisher, a law firm, from 1964 to 1968, and was assistant Missouri Attorney General from 1969 to 1972.

He directed Missouri"s Department of Community Affairs from 1973 to 1974, and the state"s Department of Consumer Affairs, Regulation, and Licensing from 1974 to 1976.

From 1977 to 1985, Sikes worked in the media industry starting, in 1978, Sikes and Associates which owned and managed radio properties and provided consulting services. In 1986, he was nominated by President Reagan to become Assistant Secretary of Commerce and director of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Chairman of the Federal Communication Commission

Bush chose Sikes to be chairperson over attorney Sherrie P. Marshall, whom he also nominated as a commissioner, because Sikes was thought to have a good relationship with Congress and be more likely to pass the Senate confirmation. During his tenure as Federal Communication Commission chairman, Sikes supported deregulation and established the framework for digital high-definition television

Sikes also carved 100 mHz out of the radio spectrum for new mobile digital services, including radio, telephones, cell phones and satellite radio.

Sikes succeeded Dennis R. Patrick as Federal Communication Commission head, and although his term as a commissioner was scheduled to end on June 30, 1993, Sikes announced his resignation on January 19, 1993. He stepped down to let Democrat Bill Clinton, who had just been elected United States. President at the time, choose his own Federal Communication Commission head After Sikes left, James Henry Quello succeeded him as interim chairperson.

Sikes was hired by the Hearst Corporation in March 1993 to lead the company"s New Media & Technology Group, defying earlier speculation about a possible attempt at running for Congress or joining a Washington law firm.

Achievements

• Alfred Calvin Sikes has been listed as a noteworthy Communications executive by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

President Springfield Council Churches, 1984. Member Westminster College Student Sponsorship/Partnership, School Choice Foundation. Trustee School Choice Foundation Boards.

Member Organization Missouri Junior Chamber of Commerce (president 1968-1969), United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (vice president 1969-1970), Organization International Junior Chamber of Commerce (legal counsel 1971-1972).

Interests

• Avocations: fishing, hunting, skiing, sailing.

Connections

Married Martha Pagenkopf, August 19, 1961. Chldren: Deborah Sue, Christine Louise, Marcia Cay.

Father:

William Kendall Sikes

Mother:

Marcia (Weber) Sikes

Spouse:

Martha Pagenkopf