The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors have voted on a successor to Tampa International Airport’s Chief Executive Officer Joe Lopano, who will retire in 2025.
After narrowing down the pool of candidates to two, the HCAA voted 4-1 for General Counsel and Executive Vice President Michael Stephens to step into the role, effective upon Lopano’s retirement.
Executive Vice President of Operations and Customer Service John Tiliacos was also considered.
The new CEO will oversee the 670 employees that manage and operate TPA and Peter O. Knight, Tampa Executive and Plant City airports. He will also guide important decisions about the Airport’s future including growth beyond the new Airside D, new technology and advancements in the industry and financial and environmental sustainability.
Under Lopano’s leadership, the TPA has added an estimated 14 international flights, multiplying the “international” in its name. It has undergone major, multi-billion-dollar expansions, some parts still ongoing, such as the construction of Airside D, which is expected to open in 2028.