SRQ names new President and CEO to succeed retiring Rick Piccolo

Beginning this fall, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport will be under new leadership. 

On Tuesday, the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority announced the unanimous selection of Paul Hoback Jr. as the incoming President and CEO, succeeding Rick Piccolo who will retire this year. 

Courtesy image

Tentatively scheduled to begin at SRQ on Oct. 19, Hoback is currently executive vice president and chief development officer of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, operator of Pittsburgh International Airport. He has served in various leadership roles in aviation for 25 years.

“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 says in a news 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.”

Piccolo will officially retire as president and CEO Nov. 30 and will continue in an advisory capacity to the Airport Authority through June 30, 2026.

“We are very pleased that (Hoback) has accepted the challenge and we look forward to him and his family relocating to our community,” SMAA Chairman Jesse Biter says in the news release. “We are extremely grateful to Rick Piccolo for his three decades of service to the airport, the community and industry and his impact on SRQ cannot be overemphasized. We wish him a long and enjoyable retirement.”

This article originally appeared on sister site YourObserver.com.