2025 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Jennifer M. Cochran

• Hometown: Evansville, IN
• Alma Mater: Ivy Tech Community College, Business Administration
• What’s one airport that inspires you? Tampa International Airport

Jennifer Cochran has become a trusted leader within the Lee County Port Authority and across Florida, bringing grit, innovation, and reliability to every challenge. Over the past seven years, she has established herself as a problem-solver and team player—someone who can deliver results under pressure while elevating those around her.

At Southwest Florida International Airport, Cochran has driven modernization within the Facilities & Maintenance Department, streamlining processes and supporting cross-functional teams. Following Hurricane Ian, she became a key figure in the airport’s recovery, bridging communication gaps and ensuring staff safety during one of the region’s most difficult times. Her calm leadership and clear coordination set the tone for a strong, unified response.

Cochran has also had a transformative impact at the state level. As Chair of the Florida Airports Council Education Committee, she has redefined scholarship and fundraising initiatives. She oversaw the rollout of a new mobile platform that standardized the scholarship review process, introduced a one-way interview component in partnership with ADK Executive Search, and spearheaded the council’s first virtual auction to expand fundraising opportunities. Collectively, these initiatives have raised tens of thousands of dollars to support the next generation of aviation professionals.

For Cochran, the most rewarding part of her role is the people she works with. “It is not what I do that is most enjoyable, but rather who I get to serve alongside,” she said. Her servant-leader mindset and focus on collaboration continue to inspire colleagues and ensure her work leaves a lasting mark on both her organization and the wider aviation industry.