Michael Stephens takes the reins as new CEO of Tampa International Airport

After spending the past decade as Tampa International Airport's General Counsel and Executive Vice President over various departments, Michael Stephens arrived to work Monday morning with a new title and an all-new role. In his first day on the job as the Airport's newly appointed CEO, Stephens headed straight for the Main Terminal.

"It's where all the action happens," said Stephens of his plans to spend time with the Airport's thousands of employees, including the nearly 700 who work for the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, which manages and operates TPA and the county's three general aviation airports. "The journey ahead is exciting and I couldn't ask for a better team to be working alongside."

After joining the Aviation Authority in 2015 as the organization's General Counsel, Stephens was responsible for providing legal opinions and advice to the CEO and Board Members on a wide variety of legal matters related to all aspects of the organization and Airport. He also served as Executive Vice President for Information Technology Services, Human Resources, Government and Community Relations, Risk Management and Business Diversity.