Lee Enterprises (NYSE/LEE) is a leading provider of high quality local print and digital news in 49 markets across 22 states, with annual revenue of over $550 million. Lee’s print newspapers reach over 3 million daily readers and over 25 million unique digital visitors each month.•Headed corporate finance, budgeting, capital and strategic planning, tax planning, cash forecasting, FP&A, investor relations, information technology, production, internal audit, real estate, risk management and SEC reporting. •Transformed the business model and reduced operating expenses by $77 million or 15% through centralizing functions including finance, information technology, human resources, subscription management, printing, newspaper design, advertising, news and content sharing across all markets. •Grew digital revenue over 40% to $110 million by increasing digital audiences and audience engagement, raising digital rates and expanding premium product offerings. •Reduced debt $264 million and decreased leverage from 4.6x to 3.6x EBITDA.•Collaborated with the board, CEO and executive leadership team to develop strategic, financial and profitability goals while maintaining the highest EBITDA margins in the newspaper industry.•Managed the preparation of periodic SEC reports including Forms 10K, 10Q, 8K and the Annual Report to Shareholders. •Gained the trust and confidence of bank and bond lenders, rating agencies, investment bankers and investors by providing a clear and comprehensive analysis of how the company’s strategy and operations drove its financial results. •Authored and presented written and verbal analysis of the company’s financial results and strategy to the board, at investor conferences, on quarterly investor calls and with analysts.

Halifax Media, founded in 2010, was a rapidly growing investment company consisting of 36 newspapers and affiliated websites with operations in six states. Halifax Media’s strategy was to invest capital in quality newspapers in strong markets that are closely connected to the local community. • Headed corporate finance, budgeting, capital and strategic planning, operations and cash forecasting, financial analysis, internal controls, shared services, risk management and financial reporting. • Restructured newspaper operations and implemented digital strategies to transform the newspaper operations from a print business into a multimedia content delivery business, while growing revenue and cash flows and increasing shareholder value.• Sold substantially all of the assets of the company to New Media Investment Group, Inc. (NEWM) in January 2015, at a substantial gain for the investment company.

Independent board member of American Consolidated Media (ACM), one of the top 5 specialist owners of community newspapers in the United States with readership of over 2.6 million and over 100 publications in 9 states. Advised and directed the CEO and his leadership team on the strategic plan to transform ACM from an old-style print community newspaper company into the industry leading multimedia company. Established ACM as a platform to acquire and consolidate community newspapers.Chairman of the audit committee and a member of the compensation committee.

MediaNews is a billion dollar multimedia company with over 6,500 employees, operations in 11 states, 57 daily newspapers, including large metro newspaper such as the Denver Post, San Jose Mercury News and Salt Lake Tribune. •Led the strategic, operational and financial transformation of MediaNews’ business from print to multimedia by developing and implementing a digital first growth strategy. •Directed the corporate development and M&A process with the board, CEO, investment bankers and legal counsel, including negotiations, due diligence and evaluation of financing alternatives.•Raised over $2 billion in debt and equity to fund acquisitions and investments, growing the company from 12 daily newspapers to over 60 newspapers with annual revenue of $1.8 billion.•Structured and led an operational and financial restructuring with over $500 million in annual cost savings. Reduced leverage from 3.5x to under 1x cash flow and increased the stock price by over 3x in three years.•Implemented an automated financial reporting and business intelligence systems that provides management with the real time financial reporting and the data driven KPI’s analysis necessary to grow the business, integrate acquisitions, build budgets, forecast operations and build 13 week cash forecasts. •Directed the strategic planning and annual budget processes, ensuring the integration of the business strategy with operations and finance. •Implemented a shared services center for billings, collections, accounts payable and general ledger functions for newspapers throughout the United States. Completed on time and under budget, generating over $2.5 million in annual savings.•Responsible for investor relations, quarterly investor calls, rating agencies, investor conferences and calls with analysts. •Direct reports and operational responsibilities include accounting, FP&A, tax, treasury, internal audit, technology, shared services and KTVA, a CBS television affiliate.

Responsible for planning, coordination and execution of audits for public and private companies in the manufacturing, oilfield services, oilfield tool manufacturing, telecommunications, newspapers, electronics distribution and mineral extractions businesses. Led the audit team in multiple initial public offerings and secondary offerings for both debt and equity.Top technical accounting professional responsible for performing audit quality reviews of other Ernst & Young offices and a peer review of Deloitte, Chicago.