A top official from the Pittsburgh International Airport will take over leadership of the rapidly growing Sarasota Bradenton International Airport as a longtime executive exits after three decades.
SRQ Airport announced Paul Hoback Jr., executive vice president and chief development officer with the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA) and Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), will be its new president and CEO beginning Oct. 19. He replaces current president and CEO Rick Piccolo, who’s been with SRQ for 30 years and will retire in November.
Hoback has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. During his 25-year tenure in Allegheny County aviation, including 3 1/2 years as the airport authority’s chief development officer, Hoback oversaw PIT’s $1.7 billion terminal modernization program and other capital projects.
The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority board chose Hobart unanimously.
“Leading Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is an incredible opportunity and I’m so excited to follow Rick’s amazing tenure and continue the legacy he has built over three decades,” Hoback said in a press release. “Thank you to Rick, the board and the community. I am truly honored to have been selected and I look forward to serving the region as we continue to grow SRQ together.”
Exiting President and CEO Piccolo announced his retirement last November and initially intended to step down at the end of this month. He will officially retire Nov. 30 to assist in Hobart’s transition and remain in an advisory role to the airport authority until June 30, 2026, the release stated.
Piccolo oversaw an unprecedented period of growth at SRQ, which included record-breaking passenger traffic spikes and the expansion of its flight roster to 68 nonstop destinations across 11 airlines. His 30-year tenure included the opening of Concourse A in January, which is part of a sweeping $200 million development project at the airport.
Contact Herald-Tribune Reporter Heather Bushman at hbushman@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @hmb_1013.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Longtime Pittsburgh aviation executive named new CEO at Sarasota Bradenton Airport
Reporting by Heather Bushman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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