Mario Rodriguez

The International Center honored Indianapolis Airport Authority Executive Director Mario Rodriguez Thursday as the International Citizen of the Year.

Rodriguez is a valued Indiana Chamber board member whose contributions to the state have been enormous. In fact, Rodriguez was named a year ago as our 2023 Dynamic Leader of the Year. Furthermore, in 2021, he was bestowed the highest honor given to an active airport executive with the Airports Council International Excellence in Visionary Leadership Award.

The International Center announced the award back in March:

Mario Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority and business and community leader, will receive the International Citizen of the Year (ICY) award on Thursday, October 24th at a dinner and program at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. The award, presented by The International Center since 1985, honors individuals whose work has achieved global impact and elevated Indiana on the world stage. Mario was selected as this year’s recipient in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the globalization of Indiana. He is an active community leader and serves on the boards of the Immigrant Welcome Center, Indy and Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Sports Corp, Economic Club of Indiana, 500 Festival, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Indiana Destination Development Foundation and Visit Indy. Mario is the former board president of the Indiana Latino Institute (ILI) and a founder of the Latino Leadership Circle. Under his leadership, the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) has experienced record-breaking growth, an expansion in economic development projects benefitting the local community and has been recognized as the Best Airport in North America by J.D. Power, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, TripAdvisor and Airports Council International …

Martin Baier, president and CEO of The International Center, said, “We are proud to have this opportunity to recognize Mario’s many international accomplishments, his passion for the community, and the way he demonstrates Hoosier Hospitality to the world. We look forward to celebrating him and his accomplishments.”

Congrats, Mario!