Welcome writer Brian Hartz to the Catalyst team

Veteran business reporter Brian Hartz has joined the St. Pete Catalyst staff.

Hartz comes to us from the Sarasota-based Business Observer, where as Tampa Bay editor he spent three years writing about business and strategy in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk and Pasco counties.

Hartz received a Master’s in journalism from Indiana University in 2001, and afterwards began what he calls “a bit of a nomadic career,” pursuing journalistic opportunities as they presented themselves while soaking up each country’s culture.

His focus on business began during the three years he spent in New Zealand, where he took a writing and editing job with the country’s leading boating magazine.

In Canada, Hartz worked for a trade magazine publisher, writing for a variety of niche business publications (“everything from agriculture and commercial baking to magazines for the firefighting industry, aviation – you name it, they have a magazine for it”). He was editor-in-chief of the monthly business magazine Douglas, based in Victoria, British Columbia.

Hartz, who relocated to the bay area in 2013, is also a professional tennis instructor, and the co-author of the novel Harley C.I.: A Detective Story.

“It’s been a long and winding road, but I’m glad I wound up here,” he says. “I absolutely love it here.”

Brian is taking over some of the reporting duties for Margie Manning, who will now be focusing on real estate news for the Catalyst.

He can be reached at brian@stpetecatalyst.com.