Naples Airport Authority Executive Appointed to Lead Florida Airports Council
Kerry Keith, the Senior Director of Development at the Naples Airport Authority (NAA) has been elected as the 2022-2023 Chairman of the Florida Airports Council (FAC). The FAC is the official association of public airports in Florida and the professionals who operate them. It is considered by industry leaders to be one of the premier airport organizations in the nation.
“It is a great honor to lead this association and this esteemed group of aviation leaders,” said Keith. “Aviation is such a critical part of Florida’s economy, which is why FAC remains committed to ensuring the future of safe, efficient aviation in our state.”
Mr. Keith has been a member of the FAC Board since 2015. The focus of FAC for the next year will be safety policies, aviation funding, taxation and FAA reauthorization. He also serves as the Chair of the Continuing Florida Aviation System Planning Process Statewide Steering Committee, which was created by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation in order to maintain a safe and viable aviation environment.
In addition, Diane Cooper, Naples Airport Authority Deputy Executive Director, was elected Chair of the FAC Noise Abatement and Community Affairs Committee. The committee facilitates best practice and information sharing between airport noise abatement professionals and public information specialists throughout the state. Ms. Cooper has been a member of the committee since 2015 and continues to be an advocate for the community with regard to aircraft operations and noise.
Barry Brown, Naples Airport Authority Director of Operations and Maintenance, was also elected Vice Chair of the FAC Facilities Committee. The committee identifies issues impacting Florida’s airports operations, infrastructure and facilities maintenance and methods to address them.
About Naples Airport
Naples Airport is ideally located within minutes of downtown Naples, the Gulf of Mexico and I-75, connecting people to the Paradise Coast through an exceptional airport experience. The airport serviced 113,137 annual operations in the last fiscal year, while being an engaged, responsive partner to the community. Home to flight schools, air charter operators, car rental agencies, and corporate aviation and non-aviation businesses, the airport is also a central location for public services, including fire/rescue services, mosquito control, the Collier County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit and other community services. The airport also prides itself on being the hub of emergency staging during natural disasters, like hurricanes and tornadoes, for first responders, lighting, and power crews.
All funds used for the airport’s operation, maintenance and improvements are generated from activities at the airport or federal and state grants from aviation-related user fees. The airport receives no local tax dollars. The Florida Department of Transportation values the airport’s annual economic impact to the community at more than $440 million.
For more information or to subscribe to email updates from the airport, visit www.FlyNaples.com.