Mario Rodriguez (aviation executive)


Mario Rodriguez an American public servant and aviation expert and author. He was the former president of the California Airports Council and appointed by President Barack Obama to the U.S. Department of Transportation Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection, recipient of the State of Indiana's highest honor, the Sagamore of the Wabash and received a United States Congressional Recognition, conferred by Congressman André Carson in 2019. He has been a guest speaker at conferences such as The United Nation's ICAO Green Airport Conference. He also sat on the board of Airports Council International, and was named in 2012 one of the ten most powerful people in Long Beach.

Career

Rodriguez is the Executive Director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. The Authority has over $2.3 billion in assets that include Indianapolis International Airport, four reliever airports, the downtown heliport building, investments, and large commercial land holdings. The Authority was named Best Airport in the U.S. by J.D. Powers and Associates in 2016 and 2019, Condé Nast for six consecutive years, and Travel & Leisure in 2020.
Rodriguez currently serves as chairman of the statewide Indiana Latino Institute. He also is a board member of key organizations such as the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Indianapolis Sports Corporation, and the 500 Festival Committee.
Rodriguez also served as the Deputy Director at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, where he distinguished himself by developing the flood protection around MSY before Hurricane Katrina and contributing to the airport's rapid recovery after. He has received many awards and been recognized for his achievements in the industry. Rodriguez has been associated with aviation from Hong Kong to Long Beach, California.
He is a graduate of the University of Miami, attended the Harvard Kennedy School, and is an accomplished author and speaker on issues affecting the aviation industry, including business recovery and disaster management.

Awards