BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

It has often been said that children learn what they live. Also, in many instances, their past serves as an influence upon their futures.

Attorney Elita Cobbs McMillion grew up in a home where her father worked at the airport and her mother worked in a different form of transportation. Coming from such a background, it’s logical that her future endeavors would be linked to the field in some fashion.

However, after she graduated from high school, she earned her B. A. Degree, cum laude, from Wake Forest University. She continued her education at the University of Texas, School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctorate Degree.

A law firm recruited the Atlanta native, and she began practicing law in Tampa. In 2002, she joined the Aviation Authority at Tampa International Airport as the Assistant General Counsel.

Last year, after Joe Lopano became the Chief Executive Officer at the airport, he began re-organizing. One of the areas of his concentration was with ethics and diversity.

Attorney McMillion said Lopano brought all areas pertaining to Ethics, Compliance, and Diversity into one office and she was named as its manager. Last fall, she became the department’s Director.

In her role, Attorney McMillion provides guidance to employees on issues that include conflict of interest, the Florida Sunshine Law, requirements pertaining to financial disclosure and public records laws.

Her focus also includes the Authority’s commitment to diversity and policy against discrimination in employment, services to the public, and procurement.

Her role also includes ensuring that business ventures with the Aviation Authority are conducted consistent with its Code of Ethics.

“I practiced law for 16 years so the attorney side gives me the ability to analyze facts and the law from that perspective,” she said.

She further stated that many of her responsibilities were handled by other departments in the past. However, Lopano wanted a more comprehensive focus.

Attorney McMillion, 41, is the first to serve in this newly created position. “This is a new area of ethics and diversity and I’m glad I was asked to step into this role.”

She further stated that her new position has brought her full circle with her childhood and her parents working in transportation.

Attorney McMillion is married to John McMillion and she is the mother of one child. She enjoys spending time with her family.