Employee Spotlight: Perry Kranias celebrates 25 years of hospitality at TPA

When Perry Kranias walked into Tampa International Airport for his first day of work in January 2001, he couldn't have imagined that he'd still be here 25 years later. This month, he celebrates a quarter century at TPA and now oversees 16 restaurant locations as Senior Director of Operations for HMSHost by Avolta.

"Honestly, I can't believe it's been 25 years," Perry said. "Once you're in an airport, it's a fun job. You're learning new things every day. It's always changing-and it's good changing."

From Coffee Kiosk to Senior Director

Perry began his Airport career managing a Starbucks location, one of the first in all of Florida, at one of TPA's original Airsides. At the time he says, Starbucks was still a novelty. "Back then the stores were small, almost like little kiosks," he recalled. "It was amazing watching travelers discover the brand."

After his start at Starbucks, Perry managed the Airport's Chili's Too restaurant at Airside C before moving up through the ranks: Assistant Director in 2010, Director in 2015, and Senior Director of Operations today. HMSHost, now part of Avolta, operates all of the Airport's Starbucks locations and many of the restaurants travelers know and love at Tampa International Airport-including P.F. Chang's, Columbia, Pei Wei, Cigar City Brewing, Gasparilla Bar, and Burger 21.