User:Tpa ops27/Hillsborough county aviation authority

The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, created in 1945, operates and maintains Tampa International Airport, Peter O. Knight Airport, Tampa Executive Airport in Tampa, Florida and Plant City Airport in Plant City, Florida. The authority is an autonomous unit if the Hillsborough County government. All revenue generated remains within the airport system. No local tax dollars for operating expenses have been used since 1974. A five member board of directors including the major, county commissioner, the airport’s executive director and three Florida governor-elected members oversee the activities of the authority. Board meetings held once a month are open to the public.

George J. Bean was the first executive director when the authority was created until 1996 when he retired. The airport’s parkway system is named in his honor.

Louis E. Miller was the executive director (CEO) until he resigned in 2010. The deputy executive director, John Wheat, has assumed all duties of the office until a national search can be conducted.

Both classified and non-classified positions are held by about 600 aviation authority employees. Employees enjoy the benefits of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) and classified positions are filled by the county’s civil service office. Non-classified positions are directors and are appointed by the executive director.