Palma Ceia Golf And County Club

Aviation board has new member

Governor Rick Scott, on Friday named Tampa Certified Public Accountant Robert I. Watkins Aviation, Board of Hillsborough County Authority, which oversees Tampa International Airport.

Watkins, 60, owns Robert Watkins & Co. It focuses on accounting, tax and management consulting for businesses and individuals.

His wife, Nancy, is also a CPA and manages the campaign finance Republican candidates and political entities. She served as treasurer for dozens of state and federal campaigns, candidates and political action committees. Former clients include U.S. RepsVern Buchanan and Gus Bilirakis, former U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris.

Term, Watkins began Friday and runs through June 30, 2015. It replaces the chairman of longtime Al Austin, who served 12 years.

In an interview, Watkins called the airport "a jewel of Floride''et an important economic engine for the Tampa Bay area. It is a private pilot with a multiengine rating, but says he rarely flies longer.

In addition, he chairs the audit committee for the committee to the Republican National Convention host the 2012 and the Finance Committee of Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club.

Steve Huettel can be reached at huettel@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3384.

Al Austin Named as the 2011 International Commerce Award ...

World Trade Center Tampa Bay will present Mr. Austin with the honor at the 5th Annual Dinner hosted at the Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club on September 16, 2011.

Tampa, Fla, July 2011… The Board of Directors of the World Trade Center Tampa Bay (WTC-TB) recognizes individuals and businesses that have contributed to internationalizing Tampa Bay. This prestigious award recognizes a leader who encourages, fosters, and cultivates international business partnerships that help to promote Tampa Bay. Al Austin has served on the panel of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority for over 12 years, recently as Chairman. He’s been responsible for encouraging, building, promoting, and assisting in the development of international flights for Tampa International Airport – flights that have opened many economic development opportunities in the area. He was a central figure in working to retain MacDill Air Force Base in the face of mass military base closing by the Pentagon. Austin has also been at the forefront of economic development in the Tampa Bay area, including pioneering the build out of the Westshore Business District. In addition to being the chairman of the Aviation Authority, Austin has been on the board of other countless organizations, such as the Hillsborough Easter Seals Society, Red Cross, American Heart Association, Tampa Preparatory School, and chaired the University of Tampa’s first Capital Campaign. The World Trade Center Tampa Bay will welcome Bay Area leaders, governmental officials, and corporate executives to the WTCTB Awards Banquet. The September 16, 2011 event is open to the public. Individual tickets are $150. Sponsorship opportunities and tables are also available. Seating is limited and reservations are required. For additional information concerning sponsorships or to make reservations, please call 813-864-4500 or email sim@wtctampa.

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