Dallas airport executive Joseph W. Lopano has been selected to take over as head of Tampa International Airport, picked from a group of four finalists.
The Tampa International Airport board of directors selected Lopano, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport executive vice president, Tuesday, and tasked the airport’s general counsel to return to the board with a contract for approval on Oct. 7.
TIA officials touted Lopano, 55, as an “airline veteran” responsible in the past for “cargo and passenger network development, advertising and marketing programs for the airport, customer service, and real estate as it relates to contractual negotiations with airline tenants,” according to a press release.
The board voted 4-1 for Lopano, with Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio initially voting for former Detriot Metropolitan Airport CEO Lester Robinson. After the vote, Iorio asked for the record to reflect a unanimous selection of Lopano, the St. Petersburg Times reported.
Lopano’s selection was not without some controversy: Afterward, Tampa CBS affiliate WTSP ran a story outlining questions raised in Dallas over the spending of public money for lavish business trips by Lopano. Iorio could be seen on camera saying it was something the board did not know about and should look into.
Shuttle services will be available modeled after the shuttle service in Phoenix.
