SRQ: an economic driver for the region

On Thursday, November 21, the Lambda Alpha International (LAI) FL Suncoast Chapter hosted its first meeting as an official LAI Chapter. The IMPACT article, Announcing the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter, celebrates the chapter charter presented on October 16 at the Annual Gathering in Phoenix.

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) CEO Rick Piccolo gave a superb presentation on the fastest growing airport in the nation.

LAI FL Suncoast Chapter Inductees
with Global LAI VP Craig Binning
Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

Thanks to the generous sponsorship from Magnum Building, DeAngelis Diamond, and Spectrum Underground, the event was open to LAI members and prospective members at no charge. The meeting ended with a lovely reception that was much appreciated by the attendees.

LAI Global VP Craig Binning flew in from Toronto to introduce the new chapter and induct six new members. … and Craig took a direct flight from Toronto to SRQ!!!

LAI FL Suncoast Chapter-member inductees include John Osborne, Green Streets Associates CEO, Kelly Gilliland, Integrity Mortgage Capital President, Scott Beck, DeAngelis Diamond VP & Division Manager, Ralph Abela, Magnum Builders VP, Elliott Falcione, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director, and Steve Reinfeldt, Manatee County Habitat for Humanity VP Construction. Committed to active membership, John serves as the Chapter VP and Kelly as the Membership Committee Chair.

The previously mentioned article, Announcing the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter, details the chapter history during the development stage, the keys to success, and future chapter plans.

About LAI

LAI is the honorary global network for thought leaders 

in all fields related to the preservation and sustainable development of land.

LAI is a growing network of chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Each chapter offers a wide variety of programs with industry leaders, discussion forums, community service projects and networking events.

Membership is highly selective through a nomination process initiated by an LAI member. Nominees for LAI membership must demonstrate ten or more years of experience in their fields, professional distinction, and outstanding contributions to the community in their field of endeavor.

LAI is committed to excellence and high professional standards to make a difference. A value to members is knowing you are someone who helped make that difference.

SRQ: fastest growing airport in the nation
Under his 30-year reign as SRQ CEO, Rick Piccolo guided the small regional airport from an untidy scenario to its current, prominent status as the fastest growing airport in the nation. Within its impressive growth, SRQ is a debt-free airport with profitable operations; the final debt payment was in August 2014.

Rick Piccolo at the podium
Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

Beyond annual surpluses from profitable operations, SRQ receives funds from airline tickets via federal, state, and local taxes. Local residents do NOT contribute to the airport finances, unless they purchase an airline ticket. Thus, SRQ gives tremendous economic benefit to the community with no funding strings attached.

According to Rick's PPT presentation, SRQ provides the following local economic benefits:

• 23,009 jobs
• $1.0B payroll
• $1.7B value added
• $3.2B economic impact (output)

Since 2018, SRQ experienced tremendous growth including the addition of six new airlines along with 41 new destinations, many via direct flights to final destinations. Seats are up 232% while onboards increased 213%. In 2024 SRQ boasts 11 airlines and 67 nonstop destinations; SRQ estimates total 2024 passengers at 4.5 million. Thus, SRQ holds the designation of the fastest growing airport in the nation.

As detailed in the March 2024 Bradenton Herald article, SRQ set to acquire land for expansion. Here’s what that means for airport passengers, SRQ has the following expansion/upgrade projects underdevelopment or subsequently completed:

• 

  Rick Piccolo presenting on 
  SRQ's expansion projects
  Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

  $100 million passenger terminal will add five new passenger gates on the east side of the airport. The new ground-level terminal should be in service sometime in January. Budget airline Allegiant Air will base its SRQ passenger operations there.
• $50 million integrated baggage system, capable of handling checked luggage from anywhere in the airport.
•  $10 million ground transportation center for county buses, taxis, shuttles and ride-hailing services like Lyft or Uber.
• $10 million ramp expansion for overnight parking for three airliners and expanded employee parking.

In the article, it states that the above expansion projects will enable SRQ to handle more than 7.5 million annual passengers.

Rick concluded his presentation on the $4 million of damages to the airport inflicted by Hurricane Milton's direct hit with over 100-mile winds on the evening of October 9. Due to a well-organized, consciousness approach to repairs, SRQ reopened for flights on October 16.

Days prior to the LAI FL Suncoast meeting, Rick announced his retirement on June 30, 2025. The Observer article, Retiring SRQ airport chief rose from the janitor's closet to executive suite, celebrates Rick's 53-year career in the airport industry, with 30-years as SRQ CEO.

For additional details, view Rick's PPT presentation, SRQ Update,

The Sarasota/Bradenton economies and quality of life benefited tremendously from Rick's 30-year tenure as SRQ CEO.

Future Chapter Plans

With Board member Jay Brady at the helm of programs, the FL Suncoast Chapter commits to four presentation-style meetings annually supplemented with tours, happy hours, and other more casual events. Additionally, an Affordable Housing Task Force is in the discussion stage.

Elliott Falcione's induction ceremony.
Pictured from left to right: Elliott,
Craig Binning, and John Osborne.
Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

As a welcome to 2025, the next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 30, 2025; Michael Snipes, Ph.D, Professor of Instruction of Economics at University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee campus, will share his local-, national-, global- economic forecasts. 

Thanks to new member Elliott Falcione's generosity, the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau will host the meeting at the historic Powel Crosley Estate located on Sarasota Bay and provide appetizers along with a cash bar. Thus, the event is open to LAI members and prospective members at no charge. 

With six new-member inductees and a plethora of interest in LAI-member nominations, the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter is on schedule to achieve the 30-member goal by year end. The Chapter Board commits to build a strong chapter that brings value to its members as well as the community.