In support of GSAC’s mission of community education, we wanted to provide you some information about the November 3rd Naples Airport Authority Board election and the Candidates.
Last June, Florida’s HR 4005 created a major governance shift for the Naples Airport Authority by replacing its long‑standing Naples City Council appointment system with a fully elected board chosen by Collier County voters.
Beginning with the 2026 general election, all five seats on the Authority will appear on the ballot, marking the first time Collier County residents will directly select airport leadership. The law requires three board members to reside within the City of Naples and two to live in Collier County but outside the City of Naples, ensuring broader regional representation. It also mandates that every member has at least five years of experience in financial management, small‑business operations, or the aerospace industry.
The three candidates for the City of Naples Board seats are running unopposed, so they are deemed to be elected and will not appear on the ballot. For County Seat 4, there are two candidates, and for County Seat 5 there are five candidates.
GSAC invited all ten candidates to participate in video interviews to share their perspective on the following questions:
- What major decisions do you think this airport will have to make in the next five years and which will be the most difficult?
- How do you define success for an airport authority?
- How would you balance the interests of pilots, businesses, taxpayers, neighbors, and airport employees when those interests conflict?
- What is one thing you would not compromise on as a board member?
- What emerging aviation trends should this airport prepare for (electric aircraft, drones, Advanced Air Mobility, sustainable aviation fuel)?
- What financial metrics do you believe are most important for an airport board to monitor?
Click on the links below to hear their responses.
Rick Ruppert (Unopposed)
Rick Ruppert is a multifaceted and experienced executive with 40 years of business success across small, private companies as well as large public corporations. In addition to a successful career in business aviation, Rick has also worked in manufacturing, consumer products, and retail for companies such as General Motors, Disney, Ulta Beauty, Limited Brands and The Franklin Mint.
Michelle Arnold (Unopposed)
Michelle Arnold is a longtime Naples resident with more than three decades of experience in public service and community leadership. In November 2025, she was appointed to the Naples Airport Authority Board of Commissioners, where she currently serves helping provide oversight and long-term strategic guidance for Naples Airport.
Ralph Alberto (Unopposed)
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.
John C. Goede
Mr. John C. Goede represents GD&C’s developer clients with the development of office buildings, mixed-use projects, residential developments, retail projects, multi–family residential projects and industrial and warehouse properties. Mr. Goede has vast experience with contract and lease drafting, title examination and title insurance, which paved the way for his current representation of a number of major financial institutions. Mr. Goede also regularly advises landlords and tenants on leases that involve office buildings, shopping malls and other commercial properties.
David A MacGregor Jr
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
Don Antonacchio
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.
Jason Brooke
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 Schappert
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.
Keith West
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.
