Executive director, Naples Airport Authority

Christopher Rozansky’s love for aviation stems back to his youth, when he was involved with the Civil Air Patrol. Since then, he’s come to manage one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country, overseeing 80 employees, an annual budget of more than $20 million, and driving the airport’s annual economic impact of $283.5 million throughout Naples and Southwest Florida. He’s also developed a set of skills that let him communicate and coordinate with proper authorities on regulations related to safety, noise and specific procedures.

In 2012, the Florida Department of Transportation named Rozansky Aviation Professional of the Year. That same year, Airport Business named him among its top 40-under-40 class.

In addition to supporting the local Civil Air Patrol chapter, Rozansky is spearheading a student initiative to have local high school students shadow Naples Airport Authority management and help them hold a mock board of commissioners meeting. The goal is to give the students a taste of aviation and government while they’re young, just as he had.

Rozansky is married with a 1-year-old son, Caleb, who he often brings to watch planes take off and land via the public observation deck at Naples Airport.