Angela L. Schaefer, A.A.E.
Age: 32
Terminal Manager, Airport Operations & Safety
Lee County Port Authority
- Alma Mater: Embry- Riddle worldwide
- Something about you that people don’t know is: I’m a self-made person
- Favorite book: none
- Favorite TV show; none
- Favorite movie: none
- Favorite hobby(s): Scuba diving
When Angela Schaefer was growing up, her grandparents built a house for the owner of an aircraft maintenance facility, who gave them a free discovery flight as part of their efforts. They gave the flight to her and at that point, Schaefer’s career path emerged.
“Upon my first flight, I suddenly knew that aviation was going to be a big part of my life,” she said.
Schaefer joined the Lee County Port Authority (LCPA) in 2006 as a receptionist and was promoted to operations agent one year later. She went to school full-time via online classes and worked full-time to keep pursuing her career path.
She was promoted to terminal supervisor in 2012 and then terminal manager, airport operations and safety in 2015. She oversees the customer service, enhancements, construction, cleanliness and tenant compliance within Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
Schaefer led efforts to enhance the airport’s baggage handling system; gate management program development and implementation; automatic passenger kiosk installation; development and implementation of the airport’s customer service ambassador program; and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Checkpoint Augmentation Program.
Schaefer heads the authority’s terminal repair and cleanliness inspection team to make sure RSW’s terminal and facilities remain a first-class environment. The team performs regular inspections of the facility and provides guidance for assessing and enhancing maintenance and janitorial reoccurring preventative care. They also research and present capital improvement needs as well as assist in coordinating projects that may impact tenants, passengers or operations.
