Julie is formerly the publisher of the Kearney Hub, the daily newspaper serving Kearney and surrounding communities. She joined the Kearney Hub shortly after graduating from Kearney State College in 1978 and has served the newspaper as its advertising director, general manager, and, since 2012, its publisher before she retired. She also served as publisher of the Columbus Telegram from 1995 to 2000. Her career in journalism has included many leadership positions on the state level with the Nebraska Press Association. She has been a board member of the Kearney and Columbus Chambers of Commerce, Buffalo County Community Partners, Kearney Housing Authority, Kearney Area United Way, Kearney Arts Council, Kearney Family YMCA, CHI Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, and the Kearney Area Community Foundation. In 2015, she was named a Distinguished Alumni of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Julie and her husband Dan live in Kearney and plan to remain active as volunteers in the community.