Julie Heskett

Julie Heskett is senior vice president and chief financial officer for TEGNA. In this role, Heskett is responsible for overall financial management of the company, including accounting, internal audit, short- and long-term financial strategy, planning and analysis, corporate treasury, investor relations and tax. Previously, Heskett was SVP for financial planning and business operations and head of investor relations.

Since the company became a pure play broadcaster in 2017, Heskett has been instrumental in transforming TEGNA’s finance organization, leading to greater efficiency through shared service centers for accounting, accounts payable and payroll, as well as creating regional finance directors and analysts across operating units. She spearheads the company’s strategic sourcing and analysis function and has worked with TEGNA’s controller and treasurer on debt refinancing and raising of capital by providing financial projections, analysis and business insights.

She has played a pivotal role in numerous acquisition initiatives, including evaluating opportunities, developing business models and providing insights. She has led the company’s acquisition integration efforts for the Belo Corp. stations in 2013 and stations acquired from Nexstar Media Group and Dispatch Broadcast Group in 2019.

From 2013 to 2017, Heskett was senior vice president of finance and technology for TEGNA and, previously, Gannett Co., Inc. In this role, Heskett was an integral partner to the president of Gannett’s broadcast division and provided financial reporting, analysis and operational accountability. She began her tenure with the company at KSDK, TEGNA’s NBC affiliate in St. Louis. She joined the station in April of 1998 as accounting manager and was promoted to business manager in 2000, and vice president of finance at Gannett in 2007. Previously, Heskett served as controller at a commercial construction company for three years.

Heskett was awarded the company’s Corporate Staffer of the year in 2014. She completed the company’s twelve-month Broadcasting Management Program in January 2004. She also received a certificate from the National Association of Broadcasters Management Development Seminar for Television Executives in July 2004.

Heskett graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and business management from Maryville University. She earned an MBA from Fontbonne University.