New chair appointed on airport authority board

A new chair has emerged on the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority board.

Since 2020, Jeff Jackson has been on the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority board. That’s when he was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. But now the PGT Innovations president and CEO has stepped up in his role. He was recently elected board chair. 

“It is an honor to serve my Sarasota and Manatee community in being elected chair of the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority board,” Jackson says in a release. “We have an incredible leadership that manages the day-to-day operations for one of the United States’ fastest growing airports.”

In the community, Jackson has also served as a Sarasota County Economic Development Corporation board member and was a board member, vice chair and board chair for Children First.

“I am excited to continue working closely with the other commissioners to support the airport’s ongoing growth and assist the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority’s efforts to deliver world-class air transportation service to our local residents and people visiting from around the world,” he says. “Our airport is often the first impression a visitor has of our beautiful area, and I’m proud of their success in setting the bar high and consistently raising that standard.”

The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority is a public agency designed to manage and operate the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport to meet the needs of both counties.

“We are looking forward to the tremendous business, community, and leadership experience of Chairman Jackson as we enter a critical infrastructure development year at SRQ,” says Rick Piccolo, president and CEO of the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority. “Commissioner Jackson has been steadfast in his efforts to improve the facilities and passenger experience at the airport.”

PGT Innovations, a window and door manufacturer based in Venice, recently expanded to include garage door offerings through a $185 million acquisition.