Gary Duncan Honored with Distinguished Aviation Service Award
PUNTA GORDA, FL (August 14, 2024) – Gary E. Duncan, C.M., Punta Gorda Airport’s Chief Operating Officer, was honored by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) with the Distinguished Aviation Service Award. This annual award was presented August 13, 2024 at the Florida Airports Council (FAC) Annual Conference in Miami. From a very young age, Gary was inspired by aviation, and it led him to an impactful, lifelong career in airport management.
While Gary’s knowledge about the aviation industry runs deep, it’s his unique style of leadership and approachability that stand out. He understands that leadership is ongoing, flexible, and dynamic, and that leaders must adapt to a variety of situations.
During Gary’s career in aviation, he has made many significant contributions to the community and aviation in Florida. “Giving back” has always been top of mind for Gary, as he incorporates it into almost everything he does.
Gary has mentored many members of staff in his career; inspiring them to look for innovative ways to operate, and to be inquisitive while also building consensus. Gary also helped establish “Aviation Gives Back” at PGD in 2022, an employee-led campaign to benefit the United Way of Charlotte County that also engages airport tenants and local business partners.
In his three years at PGD, he has led efforts to revamp PGD’s noise concerns process, rental car concession agreement, minimum standards, rules & regulations, ground transportation policy, and rates & charges – all necessary groundwork to ensure PGD’s continued success. Gary has also played an important role in opening and operating the PGD Air Center, implementing improvements to the Bailey Terminal, and keeping countless airfield and facilities projects moving before and after Hurricane Ian.
Much of Gary’s success in being a great leader is his ability to effectively communicate with everyone from staff to his supervisors and even the general public, and to support the dreams and passions of others. John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” In summary, that is Gary.
Gary has a strong history of airport leadership, most recently as the Deputy Executive Director, Aviation for the Lee County Port Authority where he managed operations at both Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Page Field (FMY). Gary also served as the General Aviation Manager of the Jacksonville Port Authority and gained extensive experience in planning and grants, operations and special projects.
Gary is a U.S. Navy Veteran who served at Cecil Field as an Aviation Electrician and earned his B.S. degree in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University. He is active in the American Association of Airport Executives, Airports Council International and FAC. Gary retired from PGD as COO is late 2024. Raymond Laroche replaced Gary Duncan as Chief Operating Officer in 2025.
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Photo below shows Gary (left) receiving the honor from David A. Roberts, CPM, FDOT’s State Aviation Manager.
