The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA) board of directors has voted to appoint Tampa International Airport (TPA) executive vice president and general counsel Michael Stephens as its next CEO, following current CEO Joe Lopano’s retirement. Stephens, who has worked for HCAA since 2015, will be the TPA’s fourth CEO and first Black CEO in the airport’s history.
Prior to his tenure at HCAA, Stephens served as an air traffic controller in the U.S. Air Force as well as a captain and special assistant attorney in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, before going on to serve as the director of human resources at South Florida University, the principal shareholder of The Stephens Firm PLLC and the chief business enterprise and safety officer at the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART). In addition to his legal and operational experience, Stephens is also recognized as a cybersecurity expert, having testified twice before Congress on the topics of cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection.
Stephens appointment comes after a monthslong selection process in which the HCAA board of directors considered four internal candidates, including Stephens, executive vice president John Tiliacos, executive vice president of marketing and communications Chris Minner and executive vice president of finance, procurement and capital programs Damian Brooke.
“I could not be more proud of Michael, who has truly been one of the most brilliant and well-rounded professionals I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with,” said Lopano. “I have no doubt, given his track record and ties to this community, that he will be able to not only lead this organization through any challenge, but take it to new heights as we enter the next era of aviation.”
“Tampa International Airport is a beloved institution and an industry icon, and I’m looking forward to leading our organization while building on an award-winning reputation of excellence,” added Stephens. “It will be an incredible honor to follow in Joe’s footsteps and lead some of the best talent in the business. I’m thankful to the Board and our community for this opportunity to build onto the TPA legacy.”
