Jeffrey E. Lewis holds pivotal roles at Sinclair, Inc., a prominent publicly traded company with a vast reach in the media industry. As the Chief Compliance Officer and Antitrust Compliance Officer, Lewis spearheads Sinclair’s compliance efforts across various domains, from regulatory and code of conduct compliance to competition and privacy oversight.
Sinclair, a diversified media company and a leading provider of local news and sports, owns, operates and/or provides services to 185 television stations in 86 markets affiliated with all the major broadcast networks; owns Tennis Channel and multicast networks Comet, CHARGE!, TBD, and The Nest; and owns and provides services to 21 regional sports network brands. Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and the nation’s largest streaming aggregator of local news content, NewsON.
In his capacity as Chief Compliance Officer, Lewis offers strategic direction on implementing compliance with federal regulatory agencies and is an instrumental partner in driving Sinclair’s enterprise-wide risk assessment initiative. Directly reporting to the CEO, Lewis keeps a pulse on the company’s compliance landscape, providing regular updates to the Board’s Audit and Regulatory Committees.
In his critical role, Lewis helps ensure adherence to antitrust regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Justice. He also oversees compliance with FCC requirements, demonstrating a commitment to upholding industry standards.
Reflecting on his role, Lewis emphasizes the importance of proactive compliance measures. “I have oversight responsibility for ensuring that Sinclair has processes to comply with applicable regulatory requirements,” he states. Lewis adopts a forward-thinking approach, anticipating and mitigating potential risk areas before they escalate.
In collaboration with Sinclair Legal, the Compliance Team, which Lewis oversees, is a strategic partner to internal business units, facilitating a harmonious balance between regulatory requirements and the company’s strategic objectives. “We are partners to the business leaders in providing guidance and ensuring that the company appropriately balances the regulatory requirements with Sinclair’s strategic objectives,” affirms Lewis.
Navigating Compliance: A Strategic Imperative
In the intricate landscape of regulatory compliance, Lewis stands as a guiding force at Sinclair. His multifaceted role encompasses various spheres, each vital to upholding the company’s integrity and ethical standards. Lewis oversees compliance in key areas such as federal communications laws, FCC regulations, antitrust and fair competition laws, and ethical business conduct.
As the designated Compliance Officer under a former FCC consent decree and the Antitrust Compliance Officer under a decree/final judgment with the U.S. Department of Justice, Lewis ensures adherence to mandated compliance training programs. Collaborating closely with the CFO and a cross-functional senior Risk Committee, Lewis orchestrates Sinclair’s Enterprise-wide Risk Management program. The assessment outcomes, which delve into strategic, financial, operational, and competitive risks, are communicated to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
Lewis’s overarching goal is to embed a culture of compliance and integrity within Sinclair’s DNA. Teaming up with Legal counterparts, he conducts thorough compliance/regulatory reviews across Sinclair-owned TV broadcast stations. These reviews foster open dialogue, allowing station leadership to address regulatory concerns and ethical considerations.
Through constant communication with Sinclair’s television stations, Lewis ensures direct engagement with station personnel. “It’s important to establish contact with the stations and offer guidance in enhancing employee understanding of regulations,” he affirms. This approach fosters an environment where employees perceive the Compliance team as a resource rather than mere enforcers. “I am not a ‘cop on the beat’ but a resource that they can come to with their questions regarding compliance,” Lewis asserts, underlining the collaborative nature of his role.
Aligning Compliance with Strategic Vision
In the dynamic realm of regulatory compliance, Lewis emphasizes the importance of synchronization between Sinclair’s strategic direction and compliance endeavors. Remaining attuned to corporate developments enables the compliance team to proactively identify risks and ensure alignment with regulatory requirements.
Lewis maintains regular communication with key stakeholders, including monthly one-on-one meetings with the CEO and providing compliance updates at the CEO’s monthly leadership meetings. He participates in the COO leadership team’s weekly meetings and periodically engages with group meetings of Station Chief Engineers. Additionally, Lewis regularly reviews the Key Objectives of the company and its corporate leadership team to maintain alignment.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by the evolving media landscape, Lewis highlights the disconnect between media regulators and the marketplace realities. “The media industry is dynamic and constantly evolving,” he observes. With the emergence of streaming content and direct-to-consumer programming, traditional distribution models have undergone significant transformation.
Despite these challenges, Lewis commends Sinclair’s adaptability and innovation in remaining relevant in the industry. Initiatives such as the launch of NextGen ATSC 3.0 technology and multicast networks like Comet, CHARGE!, TBD, and The Nest, along with Free ad-supported Streaming TV (Fast channels), underscore Sinclair’s commitment to remain at the forefront of technological advancements. Lewis explains, “The ATSC standards are a set of guidelines that determine how digital television signals are transmitted through the air and received by television sets. These standards ensure that different devices and broadcasters are compatible with each other. ATSC 3.0 is a major advancement in television broadcasting technology, which provides better picture and sound quality, advanced features and services, and more flexibility for broadcasters and consumers alike.”
Due to the changing preferences of modern viewers, ATSC 3.0 offers a strategic shift towards higher-quality content and interactive experiences. Lewis emphasizes the transformative potential of technologies like NextGen Broadcast ATSC 3.0, foreseeing a revolution in content consumption. Amidst these transformations, his role entails staying abreast of regulatory changes and ensuring that business leaders effectively manage regulatory risks. “My continual challenge is to stay on top of these changes and make sure that risks, especially regulatory risks, are identified and managed by the Business Leadership,” Lewis explains.
Safeguarding Integrity
Lewis was instrumental in performing a critical role in helping to develop and implement the company’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program, which was built in collaboration with the CFO and the Risk Committee, to formalize Sinclair’s risk assessment framework.
The genesis of the ERM program involved meticulous research and collaboration. “We methodically developed a program by first interviewing industry peers and reaching out to experts in the ERM arena,” Lewis explains. His involvement as a member of the Advisory Board of North Carolina State University’s ERM Initiative further enriched Sinclair’s approach to risk management.
Central to the ERM program was the identification of key risks across the enterprise. Internal interviews with business leaders, coupled with established risk ranking criteria, facilitated a comprehensive understanding of Sinclair’s risk landscape. Leveraging Governance/Risk/Compliance (GRC) software tools, the internal team managed the risk assessment process, presenting the top risks to senior leadership and subsequently to the Board.
The evolution of Sinclair’s ERM program is ongoing, with the Compliance team dedicated to enhancing its efficacy continuously. “Throughout the year, the Compliance team continues to enhance the ERM program so that it remains valuable and helpful to the company’s leadership,” Lewis affirms.
“Sinclair’s reputation for integrity, coupled with compelling content, is an asset that we protect and nurture,” Lewis asserts. Upholding ethics and compliance standards not only reinforce Sinclair’s reputation but also underscores its commitment to operating with honesty and integrity in a competitive marketplace.
Compliance efforts align seamlessly with Sinclair’s strategic goals, ensuring that its broadcast business operates in the public interest and complies with legal and regulatory requirements. “Our compliance program is also a mechanism that we use to support and protect our FCC broadcast licenses,” Lewis emphasizes, underscoring the integral role of compliance in safeguarding Sinclair’s operational integrity.
Fostering a Culture of Compliance
At Sinclair, cultivating a culture of compliance extends beyond mere rhetoric—it is a testament to the organization’s commitment to integrity and ethical conduct. Lewis plays a pivotal role in ensuring that this commitment permeates every level of the enterprise, fostering a culture where compliance is not just a mandate but a way of doing business.
Lewis emphasizes the importance of support for compliance across the Sinclair enterprise and at the station level. “Part of my role is to be visible,” he asserts, highlighting his proactive engagement with internal business leaders and employees to foster a deeper understanding of regulatory requirements and to instill a sense of accountability for compliance.
Leading by example, Sinclair’s leadership, including the CEO and the Executive Team, demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty, fair dealings, and integrity. “The main quality of a leader is not only to talk the talk but to walk the walk,” Lewis emphasizes. This commitment is cascaded throughout the organization, reinforcing the importance of compliance at every level.
Sinclair ensures accessibility and transparency in compliance processes, making it easy for employees to seek guidance or report compliance issues. Whether through direct communication with compliance or legal teams, utilizing the compliance hotline, or emailing the compliance email address, employees are encouraged to voice their concerns and seek assistance.
Lewis’s ability to understand employee perspectives plays a crucial role in fostering a culture where employees feel empowered to raise compliance issues. “My ability to listen and have employees feel that their voice is heard when describing a compliance issue is also essential in incorporating a culture of compliance within the company,” Lewis affirms, underscoring the importance of employee engagement in Sinclair’s compliance journey.
Upholding Integrity with a Commitment to Compliance
At the core of Sinclair’s ethos lies a steadfast commitment to operating within the bounds of the law and upholding the highest standards of integrity. Lewis underscores the importance of ensuring that viewers and regulators alike perceive Sinclair as a company dedicated to legal compliance and ethical conduct.
“In our TV broadcast business, we have a responsibility to serve the needs of the community,” Lewis emphasizes, highlighting the company’s obligation to operate in the public interest, convenience, or necessity, as outlined by the FCC. Sinclair takes this responsibility seriously, not only out of a legal obligation but also as a moral imperative.
Central to Sinclair’s compliance strategy is leveraging technology and data analytics to navigate the increasingly complex regulatory landscape. “Top goals involve the continued increased use of technology and data analytics in our compliance organization,” Lewis asserts. Recognizing the pivotal role of technology in detecting vulnerabilities and implementing proactive mitigation processes, Sinclair has invested in sophisticated Governance Risk and Compliance solutions.
Lewis acknowledges the robust support within Sinclair for enhancing compliance efforts, evident in the adoption of advanced compliance tracking tools. “We track inquiries from employees to keep a pulse on areas of concern and to tailor our compliance training accordingly,” Lewis explains. By incorporating feedback from employees and past training sessions, Sinclair ensures that compliance training remains practical and relevant.
“Our goal is to enhance compliance training to make it even more practical and relevant,” Lewis affirms, emphasizing the importance of aligning training initiatives with employee needs and regulatory requirements. Through continuous improvement and investment in technology, Sinclair remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding integrity and compliance in every aspect of its operations.
The Path to Leadership: Lessons Learned
Lewis reflects on his professional journey, acknowledging the pivotal role played by mentors and experiences that shaped his career trajectory. From his early days as a Partner at a technology law firm to serving as an SVP in the Chicago Stock Exchange’s International Business Unit, Lewis’s career boasts a diverse array of accomplishments.
His tenure as Senior Vice President-Compliance and the Chief Accessibility Officer at AT&T and subsequently as the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for an energy company equipped him with invaluable insights into compliance and regulatory affairs. “Those positions really prepared me for Sinclair,” Lewis reflects, highlighting the seamless transition into his role as the first Chief Compliance Officer at Sinclair.
Central to his success has been the unwavering support of his Legal partners, whose expertise and proactive guidance have been instrumental in navigating the complex regulatory landscape. “My biggest challenge was deep diving into the myriad of federal and FCC regulations,” Lewis admits, underscoring the importance of collaboration in addressing regulatory complexities.
Setting the tone for compliance has been a cornerstone of Lewis’s leadership philosophy. “Ownership of compliance must be felt in all levels of any business organization,” he asserts, emphasizing the importance of instilling a culture of compliance from top to bottom.
Reflecting on his career, Lewis notes the rarity of instances of intentional misconduct, attributing most regulatory miscues to honest mistakes and human error. “I really have had extremely few instances in my career of instances of intentional misconduct,” Lewis affirms, highlighting the importance of fostering a culture where employees feel empowered to navigate regulatory challenges with integrity.
Beyond his professional achievements, Lewis considers raising four children with his wife as his most significant accomplishment, underscoring the importance of balance and personal fulfillment amidst career milestones.
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