Journal Names Graham CFO, Fernandez COO

Journal Communications  on Tuesday named Jason Graham senior vice president of finance and controller, effective immediately, and chief financial officer, effective upon the filing of Journal’s 2013 Form 10-K. Graham will report to Steven J. Smith, Chairman and CEO of Journal Communications.

Graham has been Journal Communications’ VP-controller since June 2012. He was formerly VP-corporate controller at Brookdale Senior Living Inc. Prior to that, Graham held roles as senior manager at KPMG LLP, assistant controller with GE Healthcare, and corporate accounting manager at APW Ltd. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Marquette University and is a certified public accountant.

“As Journal’s Vice President/Controller, Jason has done an excellent job leading our accounting, billing, accounts payable, payroll and tax teams. He has also contributed to our strategic planning and growth initiatives, which will continue to be an integral part of his expanded role as CFO,” Smith said.

In addition to overseeing the finance, accounting, treasury, investor relations and tax teams, Graham will also assume responsibility for corporate information technology operations.

Andre Fernandez, president of Journal Communications, has also been named chief operating officer, effective upon the filing of Journal’s 2013 Form 10-K. He will now assume operational oversight of the company’s publishing and broadcast segments. Elizabeth Brenner, president and publisher of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and EVP of Journal Communications, will report to Fernandez. Debbie Turner, EVP of television, and Steve Wexler, EVP of radio, will continue to report to Fernandez.

Fernandez also assumes expanded corporate responsibilities, including corporate human resources.