Charter Communications promoted a company insider to finance chief as part of several executive appointments and promotions to its leadership team announced ahead of president John Bickham’s retirement at the end of 2022.
The cable company promoted Jessica Fischer to chief financial officer effective immediately. Fischer replaces Chris Winfrey, who has held the role since 2010.
Fischer, who was most recently executive vice president of finance, joined Charter as corporate treasurer in 2017. Before joining Charter, she was a partner in the national tax department at EY, primarily working in the media and telecommunications space.
“Jessica’s leadership and financial expertise have benefited Charter for many years, both in her roles at Charter and while at EY, where she was a key adviser during our 2016 transactions,” said Charter Chairman and CEO Tom Rutledge. “In this role, Jessica will have an even greater impact on Charter’s success as we continue to seize the many opportunities before us.”
Bickham, who has served as president since 2016 and chief operating officer since 2012, will now serve as vice chairman until his retirement.
Longtime chief financial officer Winfrey will take over Bickham’s chief operating officer role. Winfrey joined the cable company as CFO in 2010. He added oversight of Spectrum Enterprise in 2019 and operational leadership of the residential and SMB sales and marketing organization and Spectrum community solutions in 2021. Winfrey was previously chief financial officer at Germany’s second-largest cable operator, Unitymedia GmbH.
“Over the past 11 years, Chris’ influence on Charter has expanded far beyond that of a typical CFO; he has been actively involved in our business operations, and that deep knowledge, combined with his previous operational experience in Europe, will serve us well as Charter’s next chief operating officer,” said Rutledge.
Additionally, chief product and technology officer Rich DiGeronimo will add oversight for Charter’s network operations to his existing responsibilities.