Sarasota-Bradenton Airport CEO Piccolo To Retire After Transforming Airport

Retiring with debt is common among Americans over 50, with 75% carrying some form of debt and 84% saying borrowing is necessary to meet expenses, making debt payoff crucial for a comfortable retirement. Incorporating multiple income sources, such as rental or passive income, alongside maintaining a higher-than-average savings rate, can accelerate retirement and improve financial stability. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant increase in retirements, with over 2.4 million people retiring beyond prepandemic trends due to health risks, asset price gains, poor labor markets, and government support. Rick Piccolo, who is stepping down as CEO of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in November 2025 after 30 years, led the airport from $115 million debt to becoming the fastest-growing airport in the U.S., aided by governance reforms that replaced an elected board with one appointed by the governor. This change helped reduce board conflicts and enabled more effective management and financial turnaround. Meanwhile, local business owner Nick Mavrikas reentered the bagel market by reacquiring and rebranding Brooklyn Bagels as Bagels & Brews, expanding the menu to include a wider variety of beverages and bagel options to better serve the community.