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Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava recently announced the appointment of Rafael (Ralph) Cutié, who had been serving in the role as interim director, as the new director and CEO of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department.
“MIA is the county’s largest economic engine and plays a key role in creating jobs for residents and growing our local economy,” Mayor Levine Cava said. “Ralph has served as interim director of the Aviation Department since June and served Miami-Dade County for over 30 years, demonstrating his great expertise and professionalism, and his clear qualifications to serve in this important role as director and CEO. He has the confidence and support of key stakeholders.
“I look forward to continuing to work closely alongside him to provide a safe, healthy, positive workplace for thousands of employees and contractors, and leveraging contracting opportunities to expand equitable economic development for more small and local businesses, as we expand tourism and trade at one of the nation’s busiest international airports,” the mayor added.
“All together, MIA and its four general aviation airports generate approximately $32 billion in revenue and support more than 275,000 direct and indirect jobs,” Cutié said. “I’ve been so proud to lead the men and women of the Aviation Department as interim director and look forward to building on my career driving forward major capital projects and managing teams to take the airport to new heights under the mayor’s leadership.”
Cutié is a 30-year county veteran with more than 33 years of professional experience in the planning, organizing, directing, management and maintenance of large-scale facility and capital improvement engineering/construction projects. His experience within county government spans Miami-Dade Transit, Office of Capital Improvements, and Internal Services Department.
He has acted as interim director of the Aviation Department since June; prior to that role, he served as assistant director for Facilities Management and Engineering, overseeing the largest and most diverse division within the Aviation Department — comprised of more than 440 employees, an annual operating budget of nearly $123 million and a reserve maintenance budget of $30 million.
This division — which includes facilities maintenance planning, engineering and construction, facilities maintenance and utilities, terminal maintenance, and general aviation airports maintenance — provides maintenance services as well as utilities, public works, and cargo area support to MIA and the county’s four general aviation airports, responds to emergencies and critical issues that require engineering expertise, and is responsible for all in-house maintenance-related engineering, architecture, construction, and interior design projects.
Cutié holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Florida International University.
