Anthony Marinello, Founder and CEO of Tropic Air Rescue, Recognized by 2025 Apogee Awards

Anthony Marinello, founder and CEO of Tropic Air Rescue, the first helicopter air rescue service dedicated to servicing the Bahamas, is recognized as a 2025 honoree in South Florida Business & Wealth’s Apogee Awards in the CEO category. Marinello accepted the honor at the awards luncheon held Nov. 19 at The Venue in Fort Lauderdale.

The Apogee Awards celebrate distinguished C-suite leaders across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties who demonstrate outstanding leadership, industry influence and community commitment.

Marinello exemplifies innovation, courage and commitment to public safety. His humanitarian efforts include Tropic Air Rescue’s 2025 rescue of 10 Americans trapped in a civil war in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In addition, the service rescued nearly 700 Americans from Haiti by helicopter in 2024. It also performed post-Hurricane Helene relief in North Carolina.

Marinello has more than 35 years of distinguished leadership in law enforcement, aviation, public safety and security. In addition to being founder and CEO of Tropic Air Rescue, he is president and owner of Tropic Air Charters, a 30-year U.S. air carrier providing passenger and cargo services between Florida and the Bahamas.

A New Jersey State Police officer for 28 years, Marinello served primarily as a helicopter pilot with over 14,000 flight hours, supporting VIP transport, surveillance and medical evacuations. He created an aviation task force that dismantled major auto theft rings and served in the Office of Professional Standards.

After retiring in 2006, Marinello launched New Jersey’s first full-time municipal law enforcement aviation unit with the Newark Police Department, contributing to a 20% drop in violent crime within a year. He held leadership roles with U.S. Helicopters, CAE, a manufacturer of simulation technologies, modeling technologies and training services; and HeliFlite, a private helicopter charter company; where he strengthened safety systems, secured TSA certifications and advanced training standards.

Beyond his aviation accomplishments, Marinello has served on the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Licensed Private Investigators Association, and on the Springfield, New Jersey Planning Board; and was elected Deputy Mayor and later Mayor of Springfield, New Jersey.

Marinello is widely recognized for his service, including New Jersey State Trooper of the Year, recognition from Sikorsky Aircraft and other aviation industry leaders, and selection by Marquis Who's Who for a prominent feature in the Eastern Edition of The Wall Street Journal in April 2025.

“I am honored to be named by South Florida Business & Wealth as a CEO category honoree,” said Marinello. “I pride myself on my accomplishments in aviation and law enforcement, but most importantly, for assisting others in times of crisis.”

Marinello’s recognition at the Apogee Awards underscores both his entrepreneurial leadership and the humanitarian and rescue impact of Tropic Air Rescue, his leadership of Tropic Air Charters, and his distinguished career of service.

About Tropic Air Rescue
Tropic Air Rescue, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is the only fully certified helicopter rescue membership program in the Bahamas. It is a concierge membership-based critical care air ambulance service using Sikorsky S-76 helicopters and certified critical care paramedics/nurses. The program aims to remove service delivery obstacles and drastically enhance patient outcomes. For more information, call 954-267-0707 or visit tropicairrescue.com.