Gov. Charlie Crist's two appointees this week to the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority will launch their tenures at a critical time, with the poor economy slicing into aviation revenue nationwide.
Steve Burton, 48, managing partner of Broad and Cassel law firm's Tampa office, and Joseph Diaco, 70, a retired surgeon who was team physician for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, replaced lawyer Stephen Mitchell and insurance agency owner Ken Anthony, whose terms expired June 30.
Burton and Diaco spoke with a Tribune reporter Thursday:
What is your background in aviation?
Burton: I am a member of the Florida Airports Council, and our firm has done a great deal of airport work throughout the state. I bought an eight-seat Cessna and am familiar with fixed-base operators.
Diaco: I am a businessman in addition to a surgeon. I travel a lot for business and pleasure, and I live near the airport. I was a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, and I have flown a Cherokee for 40 to 50 hours.
What tasks do you foresee in the near term?
Burton: My impression is this authority is one of the best run in the country and airport director Louis Miller and his staff are the best. I will begin my orientation this week to understand the issues and how this works.
Diaco: I plan to get up to date with the executive director. The recession is a problem. Fuel prices are drastically fluid. People are traveling less, and there are economic pressures on businesses at the airport.
What do you foresee in the long term?
Burton: We need to continue operating the airport at the same high level.
Diaco: There is potential for expansion. I'd like to see an increase in flights in and out of Tampa, but I realize we have to compete with Miami and Orlando. I think Tampa has as much to offer as the others.
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