TAMPA, Fla. — At every home game, The Tampa Bay Lightning honor a local person or nonprofit working to make an impact in our community.
Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano was honored as the Lightning Community Hero during the game on March 25.
Lopano has been at the helm of TPA since 2011 and has led the airport through tremendous growth.
He’s retiring next month after over 40 years in the aviation industry.
The Lightning Foundation gave Lopano a $50,000 grant, which he’s donating to the Tampa Bay Aviation Association. The money will go to the nonprofit Girls Achieving Leadership in Aviation Program, which provides scholarships for girls to pursue careers in aviation.
"He was a great inspiration to all of us, but especially I would say those that are in the minorities"
Catholics across the Tampa Bay Area are remembering the life and legacy of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88. Father Len Plazewski, the Pastor of Christ the King Church in South Tampa, thinks his legacy will be one of joy.
