Mario C. Diaz is Director of the City of Houston Department of Aviation. He is responsible for the overall management of the Houston Airport System’s three aviation facilities: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Ellington Airport (EFD) – and its more than 1,400 employees. He is one of the industry’s leading authorities in the study of future developments in commercial aviation. Mr. Diaz was instrumental in the effort to gain public support for the addition of international flights to Hobby Airport in 2015 by Southwest Airlines. Under his leadership, Intercontinental Airport welcomed the first Airbus A380 to Texas as Lufthansa launched the flight in the newly renovated Terminal D, which underwent an aggressive makeover to handle the double-decker jet.

Prior to his appointment in 2010, Mr. Diaz was the deputy general manager for Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. He began his career in Atlanta in 1999 and was responsible for ensuring the daily operational activities of the world’s busiest airport.

His 17-year career with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey began in 1981 and included key management positions in leasing, finance, marketing, operations and properties. During this period, Mr. Diaz also served 18 months as the assistant director of the redevelopment program at John F. Kennedy Airport. He also worked at Newark Liberty International Airport and Teterboro Airport.

A native of Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, and a licensed private pilot with instrument certification, Mr. Diaz earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. He also earned a Master of Business Administration in finance from Rutgers Graduate School of Business Administration in New Jersey.