Mastcom’s owner, Tim Lewis, was a shipboard journalist in the U.S. Navy from 1984 to 1989. After graduating from bootcamp at Great Lakes Recruit Training Center in Illinois, Lewis was trained as a military journalist at the Defense Information School (DINFOS). Upon graduating from DINFOS, he was stationed on the USS Farragut (DDG-37) as the only journalist aboard a guided missile destroyer, or “tin can.”
After a six month Mediterranean cruise aboard the Farragut, Lewis transferred to the aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower (CVN-69), also known as “Ike”. This was like moving from a small town to a big city. Lewis was one of a team of several journalists aboard Ike, ultimately becoming the editor of the ship’s newspaper and also anchoring the ship’s nightly newscast while at sea. Lewis completed his second six month Mediterranean cruise on Ike.
In 1989 Lewis was honorably discharged as a Petty Officer Second Class (JO2) Broadcast Operations Specialist. Service decorations include Sea Service Deployment with star for two deployments, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
In 2016, Mastcom went through the process of becoming CVE certified as veteran owned and has maintained that status since.