Sarasota-Bradenton airport CEO wins top aviation award

The Federal Aviation Administration's Southern Region Airports Division named Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority CEO Rick Piccolo the 2022 Air Carrier Airport Manager of the Year, the division says in a news release.

The award is given to an airport professional "who exemplifies excellence in airport management, demonstrates exceptional leadership, tirelessly works to promote the aviation industry, and has achieved efficiencies and improved productivity in their organization," according to the FAA's division.

The FAA's Southern Region Airports Division says Piccolo had success in guiding the airport through "unprecedented passenger growth, marked by an outstanding increase of 46% over 2021 and 155% over 2020."