Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NASDAQ: LEE) appointed Nathan Bekke as president and chief executive officer and Josh Rinehults as vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. The board of directors unanimously approved both appointments.

Bekke and Rinehults have served in interim roles since the company's strategic investment closed in February 2026. The appointments follow what the company described as a comprehensive nationwide search.

Bekke joined Lee Enterprises in 1988 and has held various leadership positions during more than three decades with the company. He was appointed chief operating officer in June 2025, following his tenure as operating vice president and vice president of audience strategy since 2020.

Rinehults has been with Lee since its acquisition of BH Media Group in 2020 and has held financial leadership roles across Lee, BH Media Group, and Media General since 2007.

David Hoffmann, chairman of Lee's board of directors, said the board determined the right leadership was already in place following the search process. He cited the executives' industry expertise and performance during their interim roles.

Lee Enterprises operates daily newspapers, digital products and nearly 350 weekly and specialty publications serving 72 markets in 25 states. The company's markets include St. Louis, Buffalo, Omaha, Richmond, Lincoln, Madison, Davenport and Tucson.