Tegna Promotes Four to Sales Leadership Roles
The media company is elevating internal talent to drive revenue growth across its portfolio of over 60 stations.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in People
Tegna has announced the promotion of four executives to new regional and digital sales leadership positions. These appointments are intended to bolster revenue across the company's network of more than 60 media brands.
Why it matters
By reorganizing its sales leadership, Tegna aims to sharpen its focus on both digital and local market advertising performance. The move reflects a broader strategic push to optimize commercial results throughout its national footprint.
Tegna promoted four executives to lead sales efforts across its 60 media brands. The incoming leaders bring extensive experience ranging from 15 to over 26 years in the broadcast and digital advertising sectors.
The players
Tegna
Tegna is a media company that operates over 60 television stations and digital media brands across the United States.
Jay Donovan
Jay Donovan is the newly appointed vice president of digital sales with over 15 years of experience in digital media.
Kristie Gonzales
Kristie Gonzales is the new vice president of ad sales for the Northeast and Southeast regions with more than 20 years of experience.
Kari Jacobs
Kari Jacobs, who has been with the company for over 20 years, is now vice president of ad sales for the Midwest and West regions.
Byron Wilkinson
Byron Wilkinson is the new vice president of ad sales for Texas and the Mid-South with over 26 years of broadcast and digital media experience.
The details
The newly promoted leaders include Jay Donovan as vice president of digital sales, alongside regional ad sales vice presidents Kristie Gonzales, Kari Jacobs, and Byron Wilkinson. Each appointee brings decades of specific expertise in digital media, advertising technology, and broadcast operations to their new roles.
Timeline
Tegna announced the promotion of four sales leaders on October 15, 2026.
Market Landscape
This reorganization follows a pattern set by the industry-wide shift toward digital-first advertising models in local broadcasting. It positions Tegna to better compete for regional and digital ad dollars against both traditional rivals and emerging streaming platforms.
These internal changes are unlikely to immediately affect the daily experience of viewers watching Tegna's 60 local stations. However, the move may influence the types of advertisements and commercial partnerships seen during broadcasts as the company pushes for revenue growth.
The takeaway
Tegna is betting on long-tenured internal expertise to navigate a complex advertising environment. This leadership shuffle highlights the company's commitment to balancing traditional broadcast strengths with digital-first sales strategies.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership changes, visit the People section.
