Sue Carlton Joins Catalyst Communications Group as Senior Consultant
Tampa, Fla. - Catalyst Communications Group is proud to welcome Sue Carlton as a senior consultant to our growing team. An influential voice in Tampa for nearly four decades, Sue brings her exceptional experience as an award-winning reporter, columnist, and editor with the Tampa Bay Times to her new role at Catalyst.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have Sue Carlton join Catalyst. Her decades of experience as a trusted and respected voice in Tampa, coupled with her incredible talent for storytelling and community connection, make her a perfect fit for our team," said Preston Rudie, the founder and CEO of Catalyst. "Sue’s insight and passion will undoubtedly elevate the work we do for our clients and the impact we have on the communities we serve.”
Sue’s Florida roots run deep. Raised in Miami in a family that has called the Sunshine State home for generations, she earned her degree from the University of South Florida, where she served as editor of the USF Oracle.
Sue joined the then-St. Petersburg Times in 1987, covering crime, courts, and government with a focus on breaking news, accountability, source-building, and compelling storytelling. Over the years, she held leadership positions as Tampa City Editor and deputy features editor. For 15 years, Sue was a metro columnist, capturing the pulse of Tampa’s people, politics, and rapid growth through her writing.
Her work has been recognized with numerous state and national journalism awards, including being named Florida’s top columnist in 2012 by the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors and receiving first place for consumer reporting in the 2021 Green Eyeshade awards.
“I’m excited to start this new chapter with Catalyst Communications Group," Carlton said. "Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by a passion for uncovering stories that matter and connecting with the community, and I see those same values reflected in Catalyst’s work. I look forward to collaborating with this talented team and continuing to make a positive impact in Tampa Bay and beyond.”
When she’s not working, Sue enjoys exploring Florida’s parks, trails, and beaches and has a decade of volunteer experience with Anna Maria Turtle Watch. She lives in a historic bungalow near downtown Tampa with her husband, John Hill, and their dog Finnegan, a very good boy.
Please join us in welcoming Sue to Catalyst Communications Group. We are excited to see her expertise, passion, and leadership help drive our work forward.