
Thomas George, a distinguished trailblazing journalist and Kentucky native, will join C2 Strategic Communications as a senior director next month, focusing on attracting new clients and diverse talent to the regional public relations firm.
George won the trust and respect of some of the biggest names in professional sports for his insight, compassion and compelling storytelling. He was a staff columnist/writer for The Detroit Free Press, The New York Times, The Denver Post, NFL Magazine, AOL.Com and SBNation. He covered 30 Super Bowls and was the NFL Network’s first managing editor.
He’s the author of five books including his latest, “Blitzed – Why NFL Teams Gamble on Starting Rookie Quarterbacks.”
“It is a blessing and an honor to become a part of the dynamic C2 Strategic Communications team,” George said. “I am eager to get engaged in the communities the company serves. I am humbly fortunate to be returning home to our grand Commonwealth.’’
Chad Carlton, president of C2 Strategic, said, “I never imagined I’d be calling NFL Hall of Fame Coach Tony Dungy as a reference for a job candidate. I didn’t really need to call, because I knew of Thomas’ many accomplishments, but why miss the opportunity? And Coach couldn’t say enough good things about him.”
At C2 Strategic, George will join a strong 20-person team that was recently honored as the region’s largest public relations firm by Louisville Business First. His career-long experience in crisis communications, media relations and marketing will provide clients with a seasoned resource.
George will also help lead efforts to recruit and mentor more communicators of color, including formalizing a minority internship program at C2 Strategic.
George, a Western Kentucky University graduate, was inducted into WKU’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 2015. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and recipient of the Guy L. Grant Award, the fraternity’s highest honor.
His numerous journalism awards include national acclaim for his New York Times series on then Alcorn State quarterback Steve McNair’s season-long journey from college to the NFL. George was also named the 2007 Colorado Press Association Sports Columnist of the year.
George, a Paducah native, is relocating to Kentucky from Fort Lee, N.J. He and wife Tamara have two adult sons, Anthony and Ely.
C2 Strategic Communications is a full-service public relations and marketing agency headquartered in Louisville with offices in Lexington, Kentucky and Indianapolis, Indiana. C2 works with clients from business, government and non-profit organizations to help them strategically craft their messages and deliver transformational change.