Meet Stephanie Betts, Orlando Melbourne International Airport’s New Operation Officer

Q&A With Stephanie Betts

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Orlando Melbourne International Airport’s team continues to grow with the best of the best, and Stephanie Betts is no exception.

Here are a few questions we asked Betts to get to know her better.

Question: Where were you and what did you do before joining Team MLB?

Answer: I was an Airspace Technician at Federal Airways & Airspace, a consulting firm in Satellite Beach. My primary role was to evaluate proposed and existing obstructions all over the country and their impact on protected airspace and flight procedures.

Question: Why did you decide to apply for the operations officer position at MLB?

Answer: Believe it or not, I was patiently watching and waiting for the right opportunity to come up at MLB for nearly two years before this position came along. At the time this position was posted, I was wrapping up my final semester of graduate school at Florida Tech. It was the perfect opportunity at the perfect time.

Question: How would you describe your job to a child? (No offense readers!)

Answer: Do you ever wonder where airplanes go when they’re not flying in the sky? They have a home, just like you. Their home is called an airport. This is where airplanes land, take off in the sky, and where they stay when they’re not flying.

Airports also have buildings called terminals, gates, airplane hangars, and sometimes control towers. Airports have special roads called runways, where airplanes take off and land. My job as an Airport Operations Officer is to do my part in making sure all the airplanes and helicopters can take-off, land and move around the airport safely.

Question: What has been your favorite part about working at MLB so far?

Answer: The people! Everyone here has been so welcoming and helpful. I’m quite lucky to have an opportunity to work with and learn from some of the best in the industry.

Question: What are some current projects you are working on?

Answer: Currently, I’m managing the implementation of the Apex Executive Jet Center Movement Area Training Program. This pilot program gives limited Movement Area driving privileges to qualified Apex employees who are instrumental in providing services to tenants on the airfield safely and efficiently.

I’m also working on updates to several of our airfield training programs and how they’re accessed by airport users and employees. Out on the airfield, I have several safety enhancement projects in progress as well. It’s exciting to be a part of these and the many other exciting projects going on at MLB.

Question: Outside of work, you are a mother and a wife?

Answer: My husband and I are high school sweethearts. We’ve been married fourteen years and have two amazing children.

My oldest son, Kai, just turned thirteen. He’s smart, funny and a very talented soccer player. Asher is my sweet, silly, highly energetic 15-month-old. I’ve never seen so much personality in such a tiny human!

Question: Do you have any pets?

Answer: As an animal lover, it pains me to say I only have one dog at the moment. My heart has room for at least half a dozen, but for now my dog Winston Cornelius, rules the house.

Question: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Answer: I love spending time outdoors. Camping, paddle boarding, surfing and beach days are a few of my favorite activities. Lately, my free time is best spent watching my oldest son play soccer, and taking evening bike rides with my family. Through some good music into the mix and I’m all set!

Question: You pick up FOD and realize it’s a $10M winning lotto ticket. What do you do with it?

Answer: If the person who lost it doesn’t come looking for it right away, then Finders Keepers! However, I would share my good fortune. My dream is to own lots of land and start an animal rescue/sanctuary.

Question: What is one thing that no one at MLB knows about you?

Answer: Though I’m typically pretty calm and laid back, I’m also a bit of an adrenaline junkie. As far as I’m concerned, skydiving is the ultimate adrenaline rush. I highly recommend jumping out of a perfectly good airplane… with a parachute of course.

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