A novel catalytic composite comprising a platinum group metal component; a modifier metal component selected from the group consisting of a tin component, germanium component, rhenium component and mixtures thereof; an optional alkali or alkaline earth metal component or mixtures thereof, an optional halogen component, and an optional catalytic modifier component on a refractory oxide support having a nominal diameter of at least about 850 microns. The distribution of the platinum group metal component is such that the platinum group component is surface-impregnated where substantially all of the platinum group metal component is located at most within a 400 micron exterior layer of the support. The effective amount of the modifier metal component is uniformly dispersed throughout the refractory oxide support. The distribution of the surface-impregnated platinum metal component is such that the novel catalyst has particular utility as a hydrocarbon dehydrogenation catalyst in a hydrocarbon dehydrogenation process.