CARSON CHAMBERS
Tampa: Open To Relocation
Summary
Dynamic Strategic and Crisis Communications Executive with driving messaging and content to advance organizational vision, brand, culture, and community engagement. Adept in developing and executing strategic communications plans. Proven leader of high-performing teams delivering impactful internal and external communications supporting multi-hierarchal stakeholders. Trusted executive advisor maintaining strict confidentiality, while working across all lines of business including Administration, IT, Human Resources, Government Relations, Legal, Finance, Operations and Safety. Passionate collaborator fostering stakeholder trust and meaningful customer relationships. Expert in building media relations strategies to deliver measurable results supported by data.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director, Communications & Marketing
Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
01.2021 - Current
- Originate and implement strategic communications plans aligned with organizational goals, mission, and vision
- Lead team overseeing media relations, public records requests, community engagement, and social media strategy
- Lead organization-wide rebranding, 2019 and 2025
- Oversee launch of internal & external digital newsletters with 70,000+ subscribers
- Launch more than 20 PR campaigns & media events with local and state lawmakers including Florida Attorney General
- Generate local, state and national media (e.g., ABC News Good Morning America), Property Fraud Alert Program campaign
- Pen Lawyer Magazine articles, 2021- present
- Write Executive talking points, speeches, media responses and releases, & thought leadership pieces, 2021- present
- Build new Communications & Marketing department hiring key roles, purchasing equipment, building media conference room, budgeting & launching social media platforms, 2021- present
Director of Communications
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART)
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Direct public relations strategy and media engagement for regional transit agency serving Hillsborough County
- Led COVID-19 communications for essential employees and federal mandates
- Tampa Streetcar tourism campaign, NFL Network, Super Bowl, 2019
- Develop crisis communications & executive messaging
- Collaborate with video production vendors to illustrate local corporate partnership with natural gas provider, Tampa Electric Company (TECO)
- On-camera interviews and media training for SMEs
- Manage communications team producing daily branded content
Senior Broadcast News Journalist
ABC Action News (WFTS-TV)
01.2007 - 01.2019
- Researched and gathered information to develop accurate and credible stories.
- Emmy Award winner, Best General Assignment Reporter, 2012
- Sigma Delta Chi National Award and National Headliner Award, 1st place breaking news reporting, FSU Library mass shooting, 2015
- Election Night Live Coverage: Governors Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis, Senator Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump
- Presidential Debates: Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Tampa, 2008 & 2012
- Casey Anthony jury selection, trial, verdict, and release, 2012
- Republican National Convention, Tampa, 2012
- Pulse Nightclub mass shooting, Orlando, 2016
- Hulk Hogan vs. Gawker trial, Clearwater, 2016
- Hurricanes Ida, Hermine, Irma, Michael, & Tropical Storm Debby, 2008-2019
- Super Bowl XLIII, Tampa, 2009
Broadcast News Reporter
WBTV (Charlotte, NC), WBBH-TV (Fort Myers, FL), WCJB-TV (Gainesville, FL)
01.2000 - 01.2007
- Live breaking news coverage, enterprise reporting in Florida and North Carolina media markets
- Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne, 2004-2007
- Elevated 11 PM newscast to #1, WBTV On Your Side, 2005-2007
- Presidential Election, Florida recount, 2000
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Broadcast Journalism (English Concentration)
Washington And Lee University
Lexington, VASkills
- Strategic Communications
- Crisis Management
- Media Relations
- Public Affairs Executive Leadership
- Brand & Reputation Management
- Earned & Owned Media
- Digital & Social Media Strategy
- Media Training
- Stakeholder relations
- Speech, Op-Ed, & Thought Leadership writing
- Storytelling
- Public Speaking
- Meta Business Suite
- Email Marketing (MailChimp, Constant Contact)
Accomplishments
- Develop comprehensive storytelling strategy aligned with customer-focused “Excellence in Service!” narrative to reframe courts organizational restructure, 2025
- Property Fraud Alert Program Campaign adding 50,000+ new subscriptions, ABC News & Good Morning America coverage, 2024
- Emergency communications & Continuity Of Operations Plan (COOP) activation impacting 700+ employees during Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton, 2023-2024
- Top Workplaces, USA Today National badge, Tampa Bay Times Top 100 Workplaces in Tampa Bay, 2023-2024
- Collaborate with state lawmakers & local law enforcement to change domestic violence injunction filing law, 2021
- “Generous Jurors” campaign raises $100K for Guardian Ad Litem & domestic violence shelter, 2022-2025
- Crisis management for high-profile events related to cybersecurity, international relations, and IT implementation, 2021-2024
- COVID-19 and essential employee multi-platform messaging for transit riders and bus operators aligned with federal (TSA) guidelines, 2020-2021
- Navigate implications of challenged and Florida Supreme Court overturned All for Transportation surtax, 2019
Notable Achievements
- Leadership Tampa Class of 2025 graduate, Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, 2024-2025
- Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, Outreach Committee member, 2025
- Leadership Tampa Alumni, Military Outreach Committee member, 2025
- Tampa Bay History Center, Visitors Info and Marketing Committee member, 2024- present
Timeline
Senior Director, Communications & Marketing
Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
01.2021 - Current
Director of Communications
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART)
01.2019 - 01.2021
Senior Broadcast News Journalist
ABC Action News (WFTS-TV)
01.2007 - 01.2019
Broadcast News Reporter
WBTV (Charlotte, NC), WBBH-TV (Fort Myers, FL), WCJB-TV (Gainesville, FL)
01.2000 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Arts - Broadcast Journalism (English Concentration)
Washington And Lee University
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