Mario Rodriguez is a nationally respected aviation executive whose visionary leadership and commitment to public value have transformed airports and communities across the globe. For more than 30 years, he has held leadership roles from Hong Kong to New Orleans to Indianapolis—strengthening infrastructure, advancing economic opportunity, and setting new standards of excellence. Before his tenure in Indiana, Rodriguez held senior executive roles in California, New York, and Louisiana. As President of the California Airports Council, he advanced statewide airport initiatives and earned recognition from government leaders. In New Orleans, his leadership during Hurricane Katrina protected critical infrastructure and maintained operations under crisis. He also served on a U.S. Presidential Transition Team and has been appointed multiple times to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection.

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Today, he serves as the Executive Director and CEO of the Indianapolis International Airport (IND), where his leadership has driven record-breaking growth and earned consistent recognition as one of North America’s best airports.

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Rodriguez views airports has more than transportation hubs—they are vital public assets that deliver public value and strengthen communities. At IND, he has prioritized maximizing local economic impact. With a record-breaking capital program, 91% of every dollar spent in 2024 stayed local—generating more than $211 million and supporting 3,600 local jobs. He has also championed opportunities for local businesses—large and small—while expanding workforce pathways and strengthening the region’s creative economy through arts and cultural initiatives that celebrate Central Indiana’s tapestry.

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His leadership has been recognized with Airports Council International’s Excellence in Visionary Leadership Award, the highest honor for an active airport CEO. At the core of his approach is the belief that airports are platforms for opportunity, innovation, and community pride. From expanding career pathways to embedding arts and culture throughout the terminal, Rodriguez leads with a focus on how airports can reflect and uplift the communities they serve.

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Beyond aviation, he is actively engaged in civic and economic leadership across Indiana, serving on boards such as the Indiana Chamber, Ivy Tech Indianapolis, Indiana Sports Corp, and the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. A graduate of the University of Miami with an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard Kennedy School, Rodriguez continues to shape aviation with a steady hand and a deep sense of civic responsibility.

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​A corporate member of the Latino Leaders Network, Mario reflects the values of inclusive leadership, civic responsibility, and community-centered economic growth that define our network.