2026 GSAC Naples Airport Authority Candidate Interviews

Rick Ruppert (Unopposed)

Michelle Arnold (Unopposed)

Prior to joining the Board, Michelle served Collier County in numerous senior leadership roles throughout her career. From 2008 to 2023, she served as Director of Public Transit and Neighborhood Enhancement, overseeing the county’s transit system, neighborhood infrastructure initiatives, and multiple Municipal Service Taxing Units.

Her professional background also includes leadership roles in comprehensive planning, housing, code enforcement, and serving as assistant to the county manager. Michelle’s decades of experience managing public services, infrastructure, transportation systems, and community initiatives have made her a respected leader throughout Collier County.

In addition to her professional service, Michelle has remained deeply involved in the community through organizations including St. Matthew’s House, Youth Haven, Hospice of Naples, the David Lawrence Center, and the Collier Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizen’s Advisory Committee.

Learn more at https://www.keepmichelle.com/

Ralph Alberto is a seasoned aviation professional with more than three decades of experience in business aviation. He began his career in 1978 as a design engineer with Pratt & Whitney’s Government Products Division in Indiantown, Florida, where he contributed to propulsion system development for the F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft, as well as advanced engine concepts for future military platforms. Pratt & Whitney is recognized globally as a leader in both military and commercial propulsion systems.

During his time at Honeywell Aerospace in Phoenix, Arizona, Ralph received an Outstanding Technological Achievement Award for leading the development of a low-emissions combustion system—an innovation now widely used across Honeywell’s turbofan engine production lines. He later advanced to lead Honeywell’s Business Aviation propulsion aftermarket division, where he managed a $600 million profit and loss portfolio and oversaw a team of 140 employees.

Ralph broadened his expertise into customer service, sales, and marketing as Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Service at Dallas Airmotive, an independent turbine engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider based in Dallas, Texas. In this role, he secured previously unattainable authorizations to service Pratt & Whitney PW300 and PW500 engine models, along with proprietary maintenance service plan engines. By opening access to thousands of engines that had been unavailable to independent MRO providers, he achieved a critical strategic milestone that contributed to the company’s long-term success.

Currently, Ralph serves as President and CEO of Aero Engine Support (AES) in Naples, Florida, where he leads a team of experts across North America. AES provides consulting services to major business aviation fleet operators and airframe manufacturers, delivering both technical and commercial oversight for turbine engine maintenance. Ralph and his team are known for solving complex challenges that enhance aviation safety and operational efficiency.

In addition, Ralph currently serves as a member of the Naples Airport Authority Board, where he applies his extensive industry experience to support effective airport management and address community needs. He is deeply committed to community service and has supported numerous local and national organizations, including Naples Take a Soldier Fishing, Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Captains for Clean Water, Ducks Unlimited, and Naples Players Theater.

Ralph is a strong advocate for community engagement with the Naples Airport and actively supports youth pursuing careers in aviation. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Florida Atlantic University and a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University, both earned while working full-time in the aerospace industry.

With over 33 years of experience in business aviation, Ralph brings a comprehensive blend of technical expertise, leadership, and business acumen. His proven ability to lead complex engineering initiatives, drive business transformation, and solve technical and financial challenges has earned him a reputation for integrity, creativity, and dedication. His passion for community service, combined with his deep industry knowledge, positions him as a highly qualified candidate for the Naples Airport Authority Board.

An expert on all aspects of estate planning, including generational planning, asset protection and charitable giving to preserve assets and transmit wealth while minimizing transfer taxes, Mr. Goede counsels private clients as well as fiduciaries and financial institutions in the administration of trusts and estates including disputes. Mr. Goede regularly consults on the formation of entities to provide the best strategy for the protection of assets (both corporate and personal) and tax liability. He is also involved in business mergers and acquisitions, buy/sell agreements, corporate transitions and a wide range of general corporate matters.

Mr. Goede considers his greatest professional accomplishment to be his unique ability to parlay his resources and legal expertise to orchestrate the Firm’s significant growth during one of the greatest recessions in U.S. history.

*Commercial Pilot Certificate, Aircraft based at Naples

*Former Chairman of Naples Airport Noise Compatibility Committee

*1968 – 1971 United States Air Force

*1970 Graduate Auburn University “B.S. Aerospace Management”

Aviation Law and Policy; Facility Management, Safety, Flight Operations, FAA Regulations, Financial Planning; Land Use Development (Permitting, Zoning)

*1974 Graduate Duquesne University School of Law

*Business Experience;

Managing Partner Multi State Law Firm, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C.

Founder; Veterans’ and First Responders’ Outreach and Wellness Campus

*Governmental Agencies Practice: Federal Aviation Administration; Internal Revenue Service (audit and Investigations); Equal Employment Opportunities Commission; National Labor Relations Board; Environmental Protection Agency; Justice Department (Americans With Disabilities Act); Workers’ Compensation Board;

Born in New Hampshire

Long Time Collier County Resident since July 1980 (45+ years)

Public Servant  July 1986-January 2011 (25+ years)

Long Time Aircraft Owner and Hangar Tenant  February 2014-Present (11+ years)

EAA Chapter 1226 Young Eagles Pilot and Treasurer – Active (131 Y/E’s flown to date)

Concerned, Long Time Citizen, Full Time Resident and Voter

FAA Ratings Experience

Private, Commercial, Instrument, Single and Multi-Engine Land rated pilot

A&P-Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic with IA-Inspection Authorization

Educational Experience

Attended and graduated from Nathaniel Hawthorne College in New Hampshire

Graduated with an Associate of Science Degree in Professional Pilot and Aviation Administration

Graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration

Work Experience

Employed with Provincetown-Boston Airline July 1980-September 1986

(Aircraft Mechanic, Inspector, Shift Supervisor, Maintenance Training Instructor)

Employed with Golden Gate Fire and Rescue July 1986-January 2011

Firefighter, Driver Engineer, Shift Officer, Logistics Officer-(Retired)

Over the last 46+ years, I have closely watched all of Collier County, grow in leaps and bounds, as well as closely watching Naples Municipal Airport grow alongside, in leaps and bounds and I have stayed closely associated with the airport over the years.

As a candidate for Seat 5 for the Naples Airport Authority Board, I whole heartedly believe that the Naples Municipal Airport, plays a serious role in the local economy, a serious role in emergency response capabilities, for not only Collier County but for all of the Southwest Florida region.

At the same time, I believe that the airport must be operated in a manner, that respects not only the community of Naples, but as well as all of Collier County.

I also believe and promote very responsible oversight, total transparency, as well as very disciplined decision making, to ensure that ANY future actions that are to be taken, are carefully and thoroughly evaluated with both the short and long term interests, for not only ALL of the airport users and tenants, but for all of the Naples residents, as well as all of the Collier County residents.

I also believe that it’s of paramount importance, that all of the Naples Airport Authority Board members, must provide consistent and well informed leadership, that ensures that the airport is managed safely and responsibly for years to come. The combination of me being such a long time Collier County resident, that has remained closely associated with the airport after all of these years, coupled with my years of aviation education and technical aviation experience, will no doubt, allow me to make, those good, well informed, educated decisions, that not only serves in the best interests for all Naples residents, as well as all the residents of Collier County, to ensure the short and long term sustainability of the Naples Municipal Airport.

All of Collier County residents deserve a voice in the the operation of Naples Municipal Airport, I hope I can be one of those 5 voices.

• BORN: NYC, NY
• NAPLES RESIDENT FOR 50+ YEARS
• LONG HISTORY WITH APF NAPLES AIRPORT
• CONCERNED CITIZEN WHO LISTENS

Don Antonacchio has been connected to Naples for more than 50 years. His parents purchased a retirement home here in 1972, beginning a family legacy that continues today. Don’s father was a World War II veteran, a 30-year Army Reserve officer who attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and a New York City police officer for 30 years. He is honored at Arlington National Cemetery.

After spending summers working in Naples as a young man, Don built his life here, owning a local business before beginning a successful 38-year career in real estate. Over the decades, he has witnessed the remarkable growth of both Naples and Collier County.

Don’s connection to aviation spans decades. His wife worked for Provincetown Boston Airlines for 12 years, his son earned his pilot’s license at Naples Airport and now works in the aviation industry, and Don has built relationships with pilots, airport tenants, and aviation professionals throughout Southwest Florida.

As a candidate for Naples Airport Authority Seat 5, Don believes the airport is an integral part of Collier County and that the Authority should be comprised of people from the entire county. He is committed to listening to residents, making informed decisions, prioritizing safety, and ensuring Naples Airport remains one of Florida’s best-managed airports for generations to come.  that serves the entire community.

Born and raised in Naples, Jason Brooke is a second-generation Naples native with family roots in the community dating back to 1952. His grandfather served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a design architect during World War II, contributing to the development of military airfields, including Naples and Homestead. Following the war, his family made Naples their permanent home, establishing a deep and lasting connection to the community. Naples Airport itself began as a military airfield in 1943, making aviation part of both the region’s history and Jason’s own family legacy.

Jason brings more than 35 years of experience in aviation, engineering, and infrastructure development, with a career spanning military service, commercial aviation, and global operations. He began his career in the United States Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician, working on F/A-18 aircraft systems and supporting operational deployments, including Desert Storm. His background combines technical expertise with executive leadership, giving him a practical, real-world understanding of how aviation systems operate safely, efficiently, and responsibly.

Today, Jason serves as Chief Executive Officer of Aerostructure Architecture and Management (AA&M), where he leads aviation infrastructure programs and works with airports, operators, and stakeholders on the planning and execution of facilities such as hangars, maintenance bases, and logistics infrastructure. He also serves as Chief Operating Officer of Worldwide Aviation Operations Group (WWAOG), supporting aviation operations across both commercial and government sectors. Throughout his career, he has worked directly with airport authorities, developers, and aviation operators, giving him firsthand insight into the coordination required to manage airport growth while balancing community interests.

Jason understands that Naples Airport plays an important role in the local economy, emergency response capability, and overall connectivity of the region. At the same time, he recognizes that the airport must operate in a way that respects the surrounding community. His approach is grounded in responsible oversight, transparency, and disciplined decision-making to ensure that any future actions are carefully evaluated with the long-term interests of Naples residents in mind.

As a candidate for the Naples Airport Authority, Jason’s priority is to provide steady, informed leadership that protects the quality of life in Naples while ensuring the airport is managed safely and responsibly. His combination of local roots, technical knowledge, and executive experience positions him to make balanced decisions that serve both the community and the long-term sustainability of the airport.

Jason Schappert, a lifelong aviation enthusiast turned instructor, saw a troubling trend in the flight

training world-over 80% of aspiring pilots never complete their training. The problem? Traditional

ground schools focused too heavily on memorization, leaving students overwhelmed and underprepared

for real-world flying.

Determined to fix this, Jason created MzeroA: a safer, smarter approach to flight training built on true

understanding-not rote learning. His vision was simple yet powerful: make aviation education

accessible to anyone, regardless of experience or time constraints.

What began as a solo mission has since evolved into a passionate team of instructors, educators, and

aviation professionals all working toward one goal—making safer pilots and more confident aviators.

Now, with over 18 years in business and more than 55,000 pilots certified, MzeroA is proud to lead the

industry as the go-to online ground school trusted by pilots across the globe.

Keith West is a lifelong aviator. During high school, he worked weekends as a “line boy” at the small local airport to pay for flight training. He soloed an aircraft and fuel truck at 16, before he had soloed a car. After earning his pilot’s license at 17, he received nominations to the U.S Air Force Academy and U.S. Naval Academy.

Keith accepted the appointment to Annapolis. Upon graduation he completed primary pilot training in Pensacola and jet training in Meridian, Mississippi. He was assigned Oceana, Virginia, flying the A-6 Intruder.

Upon completing his naval service, Keith started an early Internet based travel reservation service. When he sold that business, he was elected to the school board of Richmond, Virginia. After more than 25 years of flying, Keith earned his flight instructor certificate and took over management of a regional flight school in Richmond. That led to a position as Senior Director of Flight School Business Support at the world’s largest general aviation organization, the Aircraft Owner’s and Pilot’s Association, where he worked closely advising flight schools across the country.

In 2021, Keith acquired Rexair, a flight school based at Naples Airport since 1999. Rexair is a Platinum Cirrus Training Center, training pilots on the number one selling Cirrus aircraft. Rexair trains a number of scholarship high school students each year, preparing them for professional pilot careers.

From 2022-23, Keith was the Naples representative for the AOPA Airport Support Network. He is a member of The Friends of Naples Airport and founded and serves as president of the Naples Airport Tenants’ Council, where he advocates for the Naples Airport community. Keith is a board member of the National Flight Training Alliance, an industry advocacy group. He is a full time resident of Naples along with his wife Stacey, who is an aircraft finance executive, and son Colin, who is a flight instructor at Rexair.