Christopher Pastura
Superintendent
Mr. Pastura has more than 30 years of experience in Catholic education and has been the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of St. Petersburg since 2015. He has worked as a teacher, coach, and administrator at Catholic high schools in St. Petersburg (FL), Covington (KY), and Cincinnati (OH). In addition to educational roles, he has also worked as a lay missionary in northeast Brazil, youth minister, and professional musician.
Mr. Pastura holds a Bachelors degree in Theology and a Masters degree in Educational Administration, both from Xavier University, as well as a Masters degree in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Pastura and his wife, Regiane, have two children.
Dr. Ann Davis
Associate Superintendent
Dr. Davis has been in Catholic education for over 40 years. The majority of her service has been in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. For 10 years, she served as an elementary teacher and then moved to administration. She was the principal of St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic School for over 20 years. After that tenure, she moved to Bradenton, FL, and was the principal at Incarnation Catholic School (Sarasota). Dr. Davis joined the Diocese of St. Petersburg in August 2016, serving as the Associate Superintendent. She possesses a BS with an emphasis in Elementary Education from Quincy University, an MA with an emphasis in Educational Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and a Ph.D. with an emphasis in Education from St. Louis University.
Brenda Budd
Associate Superintendent
Mrs. Budd has dedicated over 20 years to the Diocese of St. Petersburg. She currently holds the position of Associate Superintendent of Catholic Schools and Centers. Her career within the Diocese also included serving as Principal of St. Joseph Catholic School and as a teacher and Assistant Principal at Morning Star School in Tampa. A product of the Diocese herself, she attended St. Lawrence (K-8) and the Academy of the Holy Names (9-12). She holds an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, a master’s in Educational Leadership, and a master’s certificate in Nonprofit Management. A lifelong learner, Mrs. Budd shares her passion for education with her husband of over 30 years, a college professor, and their three children.
Deborah Suddarth
Associate Superintendent
Deborah Suddarth has served in Catholic education as an elementary teacher, principal, and Associate Superintendent for the Diocese of Ft. Wayne – South Bend in Indiana. She later joined the National Teachers Academy in Chicago to support education students in the Academy for School Leadership (AUSL) program, in partnership with DePaul University. AUSL is a nationally recognized residency program that develops and prepares dedicated teachers for success in high need communities. To be closer to her family, she relocated to Florida and served as principal at St. Michael Academy on Amelia Island for eight years, and at St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton for 10 years, before becoming Associate Superintendent for the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Deborah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of St. Francis, as well as a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership, and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Administration and Supervision from Indiana State University.
Lori Russell
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Russell was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. She and her husband, Patrick, have two children. She is a graduate of St. Raphael Catholic School and St. Petersburg High School. She earned a B.B.A. with a major in Marketing from Stetson University in DeLand, FL. Prior to her current position with the Office of Catholic Schools and Centers, she was employed for 10+ years as a Middle School Teacher Assistant for St. Paul Catholic School in St. Petersburg, FL and is also a former Vacation Bible School Director at St. Paul Catholic Church. Mrs. Russell has been a current member of the Office of Catholic Schools and Centers since 2021.
Toni Johnston
Administrative Assistant
Ms. Johnston is a proud native of St. Petersburg, where her lifelong commitment to Catholic education first took root. A graduate of St. Paul’s Catholic School and St. Petersburg Catholic High School, she continued her academic journey at Wingate University in North Carolina. Since 2004, Ms. Johnston has dedicated her career to serving the Diocese, beginning as a teacher assistant and later becoming an Early Childhood Director. In 2017, she brought her passion and expertise to the Office of Catholic Schools and Centers, where she continues to make a meaningful impact in the lives of students, educators, and administrators alike. She also takes great pride in the lives and accomplishments of her three adult children, with whom she enjoys spending quality time.