Spring 2023 Speakers

Sara Behnke, Melissa Solberg and Eric Caplan

Sara Behnke is the Business Manager for General Aviation at the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority. Sara is responsible for all business administration at the Authority’s three General Aviation airports. Sara has been with the Authority since 2018 after a 15 year career in State and Federal court. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities at the University of South Florida and a Master of Business Administration with a focus in Sustainability at the USF Muma College of Business.

Melissa Solberg is the Senior Manager of the Office of Innovation at the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority. As a catalyst for change and transformation, she is responsible for building a culture of engagement and innovation that fosters forward-thinking practices at Tampa International Airport. Melissa joined the Authority in 2015 and has more than 20 years of program development and management experience.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Michigan State University and a Master of Architecture degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Eric Caplan is the Sustainability and Resilience Program Director for the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA).  In managing the Sustainability and Resilience program, Eric’s duties include updating and maintaining the Authority’s Sustainable Management Plan, conducting resiliency-related studies and planning activities for HCAA campuses, developing an “electrification” plan for TPA, and managing the Authority’s “Airport Carbon Accreditation” program, among many others.  Prior to joining HCAA, Eric managed the Energy, Sustainability, and Buildings Division for Manatee County, FL Government, and worked for the Mayor’s Office of the City of St. Petersburg, FL, within the Office of Sustainability and Resilience. Eric achieved a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from the University of Central Florida (Sorry USF!), and two Master of Science degrees from the University of Florida, studying Natural Resources and Policy, and Environmental Engineering.