Times Publishing Company, publisher of the Tampa Bay Times, announced today the appointment of seven leaders to senior positions. The new leadership team positions the company for innovation and growth.
On the business side, Justo “Jay” Rey has been named vice president of advertising and marketing for the Tampa Bay Times. Rey, who also is president and publisher at Tampa Bay Newspapers, will continue to lead those efforts. Morgan Peterson has been promoted to director of philanthropy and communications.
In news, Michael Van Sickler and Traci Johnson were named managing editors. Rebecca Woolington and Claire McNeill have been elevated to deputy managing editors. Allison Ross was promoted to assistant managing editor.
“For more than 140 years, the Times has been the leading news organization in the state of Florida,” said Times Chairman and CEO Conan Gallaty. “With this leadership team, we are poised to embrace a new era, prioritizing digital growth, enhancing community engagement and continuing our commitment to producing quality journalism.”
Rey, 44, has played a pivotal role in the growth and expansion of Tampa Bay Newspapers, a division of Times Publishing and regional producer of weekly community news. Under his stewardship, circulation has doubled and grown to include 13 titles. He is set to oversee the launch of the St. Petersburg Beacon in early 2025. In his new role, Rey will develop a structure that combines the sales and marketing teams of both organizations.
An experienced leader in strategic philanthropy, marketing and event production, Peterson, 35, joined the Times in March. She adds communications and Newspaper in Education to her portfolio, which focuses on engaging corporate and community partners to raise funds to support the Times’ Journalism and Investigative Funds. Before joining the Times, Peterson was a nonprofit strategy consultant and worked as a marketing and development specialist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Van Sickler, 54, has marshaled coverage across all corners of the newsroom. He joined the Times 21 years ago and has served in several roles from local and state government reporter to editor. As the managing editor for news and engagement, he will lead most of the news coverage teams at the Times.
Since 2001, Johnson, 45, has excelled in production and editing roles. As managing editor for sports, production and visuals, she will oversee copy editing and design teams, the photo staff and the newsroom’s sports writers and editors.
Woolington, 38, has been the Times’ investigative editor. McNeill, 32, has supervised the enterprise team. Both journalists will take on a larger role reaching further into the newsroom to help shape the Times’ best accountability and narrative journalism.
Ross, 38, adds local government and culture teams to her responsibilities.
Carolyn Fox, 42, who has served as managing editor since February of 2022, will leave the company later this month to become the executive editor of the Maine Trust for Local News.
“Carolyn has been a remarkable leader in the Times newsroom who has helped make us better in so many ways,” said Editor Mark Katches. “Though we’re sad to see her go, we have an amazingly talented leadership team ready to move the Times forward.”
About the Tampa Bay Times:
The Tampa Bay Times is widely considered one of the Top Ten newspapers in America and has won 14 Pulitzer Prizes. It is Florida’s largest newspaper and publishes tampabay.com — Tampa Bay’s largest local news website. Additionally, the company publishes the free weekly tbt*Weekend, an edition of the Tampa Bay Times, and Bay magazine.
