Lee Enterprises names Nathan Bekke as chief operating officer

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Lee Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:LEE) has appointed Nathan Bekke as Chief Operating Officer, the company announced Friday. The appointment comes as the company, currently valued at $38.6 million, faces significant operational challenges, according to InvestingPro data.

Bekke, who previously served as Operating Vice President and Vice President of Audience Strategy, has been with the company since 1988 and was appointed to his most recent position in 2020.

In his previous role, Bekke was responsible for news, audience, advertising, production, information technology and BLOX Digital operations. He began as a Vice President in January 2015 before advancing to his current position.

Lee Enterprises President and CEO Kevin Mowbray highlighted Bekke’s contributions to the company’s digital transformation, noting his role in increasing digital audience and driving revenue.

"Nathan has played an integral role in Lee’s transformation and has been a key leader in driving revenue and greatly increasing our digital audience," Mowbray said.

Bekke expressed optimism about his new role, pointing to the company’s progress in becoming a digital-first organization.

"As we accelerate our digital transformation, Lee is well positioned for a dynamic and successful future," Bekke said.

Lee Enterprises operates daily newspapers and digital products across 72 markets in 25 states, including St. Louis, Buffalo, Omaha, Richmond, Lincoln, Madison, Davenport, and Tucson.

The information in this article is based on a company press release statement.

In other recent news, Lee Enterprises reported a larger-than-expected loss for Q2 2025, with an earnings per share (EPS) of -$2.07, missing the forecasted -$1.48. The company’s revenue also fell short of expectations, reaching $137 million against a projected $142.55 million. Despite these challenges, Lee Enterprises continues to focus on its digital transformation strategy, noting a 20% growth in digital subscription revenue year-over-year. The company has introduced new AI products aimed at driving future growth and remains committed to transitioning from print to digital revenue. In light of these developments, Lee Enterprises anticipates being free cash flow positive in the latter half of fiscal year 2025. The company has also managed to execute approximately $40 million in annualized cost reductions in the second quarter. Analysts and investors are closely monitoring these efforts as Lee Enterprises navigates a competitive digital landscape and broader economic pressures.

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