Words cannot express the sorrow we feel at the devastating loss of our colleague and friend, Todd Cox. Todd was an outgoing individual with a passion for aviation, and a kind soul who was always willing to lend a helping hand or offer words of encouragement.
Todd received his Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics (Cum Laude) from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2004, with minors in Aviation Safety and Business Administration. He went on to pursue a Master of Commercial Aviation from Delta State University in December 2010. His impressive career in aviation spans over 40 years, starting as an Air Traffic Controller for the United States Navy in 1979. During his long and successful career, prior to joining AVCON, Todd served in numerous management positions with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority; Airport Director at the Treasure Coast International Airport; Director of Operations at the Tampa International Airport; and as Aviation Program Development Manager for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). While with the FDOT, he successfully completed projects, such as:
- 2016 and 2017 Economic Impact Study Update
- 2016 and 2017 Guidebook for Airport Master Planning
- 2016 Air Service Study
- 2016 Air Cargo Study
- 2017 Non-Towered Operations Count Study
- 2017 FDOT Forecast Methodology Study
- 2014-2017 Airport Leadership Development Course
- 2017 JACIP Computer-based Training Module
He also contributed to the initial development of the Florida Aviation Professionals Academy (FAPA) and was the recipient of the FDOT 2014-2015 Intermodal Systems Development Role Model of the Year Award.
After his tenure with the FDOT, Todd decided to try his hand on the consultant side of the business. He started with AVCON in 2018 and built meaningful relationships with many of the firm’s clients and staff. Among these, he continued to work closely with multiple districts of the Florida Department of Transportation as well as with individual airports including Daytona Beach International, DeLand Municipal, Martin County, Okeechobee County and Treasure Coast International Airports. He was instrumental in setting up an Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B)/communications-based aircraft operations counting system at Okeechobee County Airport to assist the Airport in collecting and documenting important aircraft operations information required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He also contributed to multiple master plan reports and airport layout plan submittals throughout Florida and North Carolina. Many of AVCON’s junior staff members viewed Todd as a mentor, and he was always available to lend some advice or coach a fellow team member – to help them reach their full potential within our ever growing and dynamic industry.
Todd was an active member of the Florida Airports Council (FAC) serving as the Chair of the Corporate Committee, the bridge between the Council’s corporate members and Board of Directors. In this role, he also served on the Board of Directors as the one Corporate Board Member among multiple Airport Executive Members responsible for overseeing all Council business and directives. He was also a member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), and he served as an adjunct professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida. Outside of work, Todd was an avid aviation hobbyist and enjoyed model building and flight simulation. He was also a jazz music enthusiast.
Todd’s legacy and impact within the aviation community are immeasurable, and we are immensely saddened by the loss of our colleague and friend. He was one of a kind, and he will be greatly missed.
Todd may be gone, but he will not be forgotten. He has touched our lives here at AVCON and will stay in our hearts forever. Todd is survived by his wife, Patty and two daughters Melissa and Vanessa. Please keep Todd and his family in your thoughts and prayers. The family will have a private service for Todd and a celebration of life event at a later time. We will share any information on this as it becomes available. We also ask if you would like to send condolences, please direct them to AVCON’s Orlando office at 5555 E. Michigan Street, Suite #200, Orlando, FL 32822. AVCON will deliver them to the Cox Family.
Education was always extremely important to Todd. The Cox family has chosen the United Negro College Fund for anyone who wishes to make a charitable donation in Todd’s memory. You may donate here: https://uncf.org
The sun has set on an amazing life, but the light of his passion for aviation and airports will live on in all of us.
Air Traffic Controllers are assigned operating initials during their service. Todd was no different.
Tango Charlie – You are cleared to land, and rest easy; we have the watch.
