20 Questions With … Joe Lopano

Joe Lopano, CEO of Tampa International Airport, has worked 37 years in the aviation industry. Prior to accepting the CEO position in Tampa, he worked at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport for 14 years as its executive vice president for marketing and terminal management. His experience also encompasses 19 years in the airline industry, including serving in leadership positions at Continental Airlines.

He serves on the boards of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Visit Tampa Bay, the Westshore Alliance, the Tampa Bay Partnership, the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance, the U.S. Travel Association’s Gateway Airports Council and the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

He is a member of the executive committees for the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, the Airports Council International–North America U.S. Policy Board and the Tony Jannus Society. He is an Honorary Commander at MacDill Air Force Base and was selected to participate in Leadership Florida.

  1. College alma mater? Pace University
  2. Last book you read? “Hillbilly Elegy” by J. D. Vance
  3. Last place you vacationed? Rosemary Beach, Florida
  4. PC or Mac? Mac
  5. Guilty-pleasure food? Ribeye Steak
  6. We’ll find you on the weekend doing? Golf or photography
  7. Biggest fear? Heights
  8. Proudest moment? Every time I see our team members succeed
  9. Dream dinner companion? Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister
  10. Any pets? No
  11. Who did you last text? My son
  12. What is your cellphone wallpaper image? Me and my wife at Lake Louise, Canada
  13. What do you listen to in the car? Everything
  14. What is your go-to drink order? Chardonnay
  15. Favorite candy? Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup
  16. Do you suffer from Primenesia*? Yes
  17. Pool or beach? Both and often
  18. Charity you support? United Way
  19. Favorite childhood memory? Christmastime
  20. Words of advice? Do what you say you’re going to do.

 

*Primenesia: The act of ordering from Amazon and forgetting about it.

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