Geneva College has a rich history of flight and aviation in Beaver County and beyond, including being one of the first schools to train students as pilots under the Civilian Pilot Training Program between 1938-1944 as well as Amelia Earhart’s 1936 visit to the College.

One Geneva alumnus, Paul Hoback ’97, MBA ’10, has made a large impact on aviation in our region.

For the past 24 years, Paul served as the executive vice president and chief development officer at the Allegheny County Airport Authority, among other roles, which oversees the operation of both the Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport. In this role, he was responsible for Pittsburgh International Airport’s $1.7 billion Terminal Modernization Program and the $220 million Airside Renovations Program, as well as all other capital development projects at both Pittsburgh International Airport and the Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin, PA. 

Paul first graduated from Geneva with an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in 1997. He went on to gain years of engineering experience in several industries before returning to Geneva to complete his MBA in 2010.

“Returning to Geneva as an adult, with a job, a 2-year-old, and taking night classes was interesting, but so worth it. I was able to apply my work experience to my classes and gained so much business and leadership value from this program,” he says.

Several years into his career, Paul made the jump to the aviation industry when he saw an opening at the Allegheny County Airport Authority. He held several positions that taught him the intricacies of airport operations, preparing him to oversee the Pittsburgh International Airport’s recent transformation.

The project included eliminating the landside terminal and building a new terminal for departing passengers, baggage claim, and security checkpoint. Newly opened in November 2025, this project allows for more connection, greater ease for users, and allows for a new roadway system to connect to the new terminal.

One particularly unique aspect of this project is the energy source.

Under his leadership, the airport became the first in the world to build a microgrid — fueled by natural gas and solar energy — that supplies 100% of the airport’s power. Pittsburgh International Airport is now completely off the electric grid — in fact, the electric grid is its backup power. “We are the only airport that has done this,” says Paul. “This makes us more resilient and independent.”

Paul has recently accepted the role of president and CEO of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and relocated to Florida.

Prior to his relocation in October 2025, Paul served on various community boards, including the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, the Beaver Area Memorial Library, Vanport Township Municipal Authority, Vanport Township Planning Commission, the Beaver Area Heritage Foundation, and the Beaver Area School District Board of Directors.

Paul served on numerous boards at Geneva, including Geneva’s Engineering Advisory Board and Geneva’s Master Campus Planning Committee.

In 2022, Paul was a recipient of the Pittsburgh Business Times C-Suite Award. He has previously been honored as the Young Engineer of the Year for the state of Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers.

Reflecting on his work with the Allegheny Airport Authority, Paul says, “I am so thankful I got into aviation when I did, and my education at Geneva helped me get here. I had an amazing experience [at the College]. The faculty helped transform me as a person and prepared me for the workplace.”

Paul was awarded the Geneva College Alumni Award in 2025, recognized for his exceptional service in his career and community. The Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated faithful service to God and neighbor, servant-leadership and achievement in their career, and embodies the values of unchanging biblical truth in a complex and changing society.

By Kelsey Ingold ‘18 and Erika Kauffman ‘20 
A portion of this article originally shared in the Geneva Magazine Summer 2023.