By Steve Huettel, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Joe Lopano, point man for attracting international flights to Dallas-Forth Worth, will take over the top job at Tampa International Airport.
Lopano, 55, emerged from a field of four finalists to replace Louis Miller, who after nearly 14 years as executive director abruptly resigned earlier this year amid friction with airport board members.
Board members moved up a decision on his replacement last week after two candidates dropped out. This afternoon they picked Lopano, executive vice president of marketing at the Dallas airport over Lester Robinson, 58, former CEO at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
Lopano oozed self-confidence during an interview in Tampa earlier this month while peppering descriptions of his management philosophy with can-do phrases: Grab the bull by the horns. Take ownership of an endeavor. Create standards. Hold people accountable.
In his resume, Lopano said the Dallas airport's air service development "has been transformed from a parochial hand-shaking exercise to the most aggressive program in the U.S. and is recognized as a world leader."
A professional acquaintance in Dallas described his "preternatural optimism." Lopano wins over people with this ebullience and spins a good story. But his career at the airport may have hit a roadblock, with only a handful of executives ahead of him who don't appear ready to leave.
TIA's new executive director will quickly need to tackle tough issues:
• Expanding TIA's thin roster of international routes. Excluding Canada, the only destinations outside the United States are London and Grand Cayman Island.
• Expanding the airport's small, outdated U.S. Customs and inspection facilities for processing international travelers.
• Maintaining the airport's high level of customer service amid continuing declines in passenger traffic and revenues.
• Planning for a light-rail link to the airport if Hillsborough voters approve a Nov. 2 referendum on a 1-cent sales tax increase to build the system.
Steve Huettel can be reached at huettel@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3384.
