ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida’s transportation secretary will soon leave the state agency for a new job leading Orlando International and Executive airports.

What You Need To Know

  • Florida Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault is set to become Chief Executive Officer at GOAA

  • Thibault will oversee Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport

  • Thibault is replacing long time executive Phil Brown who retired recently retired

Florida Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault is set to become Chief Executive Officer of Greater Orlando Aviation Authority no later than March 21, 2022.

Thibault will oversee Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport. His arrival comes as Orlando International Airport is nearing the completion of a multi-billion dollar terminal complex expansion, among other projects.

The GOAA Board approved a five-year employment deal Wednesday, with Thibault earning an annual base salary of $375,000. He will be replacing long time executive Phil Brown who retired recently after more than a decade at GOAA.  

Thibault comes to GOAA from Florida Department of Transportation where he’s served as Secretary since January 2019.  

“For the past three years, Secretary Thibault has implemented innovative transportation solutions that have positioned Florida as a nationwide leader in safety and transportation infrastructure,” The Governor’s Office told Spectrum News in a statement when asked about Thibault’s hiring. “His tireless work has positively impacted every single Floridian and visitor to our state, so it is no surprise he was selected by to lead the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. Secretary Thibault’s thoughtful and collaborative approach has left a legacy at FDOT that will be felt by our residents for decades to come. We can’t thank him enough for his steadfast commitment to our state and look forward to working with him in his exciting new role.”

The Governor’s Office told Spectrum News that details on an appointment for DOT Secretary will be forthcoming.

The GOAA board first selected Thibault as the leading contender for the CEO job in January 2022, beating out other candidates that included airport executives from Seattle, Washington, and Austin, Texas.

“I feel confident that we have chosen the best of the very best to lead us toward the 22nd century,” Carson Good, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, told Spectrum News in a statement. “Kevin Thibault will help lead the airport to new heights, with a focus on operational efficiency, flights to more destinations and the most enjoyable airport experience possible.”
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