Tampa Airport and USF sign MOU, bolstering decades-long partnership

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Tampa International Airport & USF strengthen their long-standing partnership with a new Memorandum of Understanding, fostering collaboration.

For many years, Tampa International Airport (TPA) and the University of South Florida (USF) have shared a strong bond, collaborating on a range of initiatives, workshops, and brainstorming sessions. This relationship was further cemented on January 16 when TPA’s Chief Executive Officer, Joe Lopano, and USF’s President, Rhea Law, signed an agreement. This Memorandum of Understanding, endorsed by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, which manages TPA and the county’s three public general aviation airports, and USF, represents a formal commitment to further collaboration. The ceremony, held at TPA’s SkyCenter One Boardroom, was witnessed by leaders and staff from both USF and the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, as well as other guests who celebrated the event.

The Memorandum of Understanding, while not creating any legal or specific commitments for USF or TPA, underscores the importance of their joint efforts in identifying research and development opportunities, establishing partnerships, creating talent pathways, and engaging in other cooperative ventures.

Joe Lopano emphasized the significance of this partnership, noting that both USF and TPA are key economic forces in the Tampa Bay area, committed to prosperity and sustainability. He expressed that this Memorandum of Understanding will enable a more focused and strategic approach to their shared goals and growth.

This agreement marks the first of its kind between the Airport and an educational institution. Rhea Law expressed pride in USF’s collaboration with Tampa International Airport, highlighting the benefits for USF students and researchers in gaining practical experience and addressing community issues. She anticipates further creative ways to enhance this partnership.

TPA and USF have a history of collaboration, with TPA leaders participating in USF advisory councils and USF students engaging in learning and working experiences at TPA. In recent years, TPA’s Office of Innovation, General Aviation Department, and Sustainability and Resilience Program have worked with USF’s Patel College of Global Sustainability on various projects related to electrification and energy efficiency.

Joe Lopano remarked that this Memorandum of Understanding acknowledges the global responsibility of both TPA and USF to innovate and contribute positively. He sees the potential for more partnership opportunities, benefiting the airports, students, and the wider region.

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