DFW Executive VP Joe Lopano Accepts Position as CEO of Tampa International Airport

Aviation industry veteran brought considerable new air service to Dallas-Fort Worth

(DFW International Airport – Oct. 7, 2010) – DFW International Airport executive Joseph W. (Joe) Lopano has accepted an offer today to become the Chief Executive Officer of the Tampa International Airport. Lopano was selected as the new Tampa International Airport CEO last week in a vote of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board.

“I am humbled and energized by the opportunity to lead such a great airport as Tampa International,” said Lopano. “I'm looking forward to working with the excellent staff already in place at TIA.”

Lopano starts as CEO of the Tampa Airport on January 1, 2011.

Lopano oversaw the marketing, customer service and airline real estate departments at DFW, directing the Airport’s emergence as one of the world's most recognized airports for customer service. For the past four years in a row, DFW has ranked in the top five for customer service among large airports worldwide in passenger surveys conducted by Airports Council International.

Lopano's marketing efforts resulted in many new domestic and international routes and carriers at DFW, including new service to Amsterdam, London Heathrow and Madrid in the past three years alone. Virgin America is set to begin service from DFW to Los Angeles and San Francisco in December.

“Joe’s amazing record of accomplishment during his career here at Dallas-Fort Worth will leave a lasting mark on the entire North Texas region,” said Jeff Fegan, DFW’s chief executive officer. “DFW's great loss is Tampa's gain. Joe has contributed mightily to this Airport's success with his expertise and his leadership, and he will be greatly missed.”

“Joe traveled the world to bring incredible new service to our passengers, not only in new flights but also in terms of the passenger experience,” said Ben Muro, Chairman of the DFW Board of Directors. “Joe led the way in raising DFW's reputation as one of the world's top airports.”

Prior to his arrival at DFW in 1996, Lopano held high-level management positions at Lufthansa German Airlines, Continental Airlines, British West Indies Airlines and Pan American.

Lopano received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and Accounting from Pace University in New York, and has done graduate work in Marketing at the University of Connecticut.

Lopano and his wife Janet have three children.