In 2022 and in 2003, she ranks No. 9 on the RBR+TVBR Broadcast Best Finance Leaders rankings. In 2024, Victoria Harker will not be appearing on the list.
Why? Harker, at the conclusion of TEGNA‘s second quarter 2023 earnings call for analysts, shareholders and debtholders, revealed that she’ll be retiring in roughly 200 days. This gives Harker, and TEGNA, plenty of time for a transition, with her successor already revealed.
Taking over as Chief Financial Officer of TEGNA, effective March 2024, is SVP of Financial Planning & Business Operations Julie Heskett.
Heskett has been associated with the media company formerly known as Gannett Co. since April 1998. During that time, she’s served as VP/Business Manager for KSDK-5 in St. Louis, rising from Business Manager and, before that, as Accounting Manager. In September 2007. Heskett was appointed to the corporate role of VP of Finance. She took on her current role in June 2017 following a stint as SVP of Finance and Technology.
Speaking on the call, TEGNA CEO Dave Lougee explained that Harker’s retirement will technically begin at the end of the year, when she will relinquish the CFO title. However, she will remain involved through Q1 2024. “As you know, from navigating the complexities to spinning off Gannett to successfully steering us through numerous strategic acquisitions and a lot, lot more things, Victoria has been a key leader of the company these past twelve years. She is one of the main reasons we’ve evolved to the position of size and strength we enjoy today. She’s going to be with us a while, but we thank her for everything she has done.”
Harker has been CFO of TEGNA since July 2012 and before joining the company was President of Global Business Services and CFO of global power company AES Corporation.
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Harker commented, “With 17 years and 68 earnings calls now under my belt, I have decided to step down as CFO.” She plans on serving companies and nonprofits “in a variety of ways into the future,” she added.
Commenting on Heskett, Lougee noted her 20+-year tenure at TEGNA and how she “knows the company inside out,” and most recently has been “a key strategic player” in her current role, which involves investor relations.
