Aviation Authority Board narrows selection to two candidates for TPA CEO

The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA) Board of Directors on Wednesday morning narrowed a pool of four internal candidates to two in the search for TPA CEO Joe Lopano's replacement. Those two candidates are General Counsel and Executive Vice President Michael Stephens and Executive Vice President of Operations and Customer Service John Tiliacos.

In a unanimous vote, the Board selected the two to each give public presentations at a Special Board Meeting to be held on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 9 a.m., after which the Board anticipates to select the next CEO. The other two candidates -- Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications Chris Minner and Executive Vice President of Finance, Procurement and Capital Programs Damian Brooke -- were also considered in the Wednesday discussion and praised for their depth of skills and leadership qualities, but ultimately the Board felt split among the top choices of Stephens and Tiliacos.

"We are incredibly fortunate to have such a strong candidate pool, making this a difficult decision for our Board," HCAA Board Chair Brig. Gen. Chip Diehl said. "This speaks volumes to the talented executive team that Joe Lopano has brought to lead TPA over the past decade, and it bodes very well for the Airport's future. I'm looking forward to the two final candidates' presentations and I have no doubt we will have an incredible leader in place at the end of this process."

The selection of the two finalists took place after several months of discussions following Lopano's February announcement that he will retire at the end of his contract in April 2025. The new CEO will oversee than 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. Executive recruitment firm Korn Ferry is assisting the Aviation Authority Board of Directors with the selection process.

The Nov. 12 Special Board Meeting will be held in the SkyCenter One Boardroom at 5411 Skycenter Drive, Level 4, and will be open to the public.