Accomplished Author and Engineer Delivering Commencement Address to Embry-Riddle Graduates

May 12, 2011 - PRLog -- Long Beach, Calif., May 12, 2011 – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide’s Los Angeles and Inland Empire campuses will conduct commencement exercises on Friday, May 13, at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, Long Beach Airport.

This year’s ceremony celebrates the achievement of 25 students receiving graduate and undergraduate degrees in Professional Aeronautics, Business Administration in Aviation, Management, Aviation Maintenance, Technical Management, and Aeronautical Science.

Long Beach Airport Director Mario Rodriguez will give the commencement address. Mr. Rodriguez, an aviation expert with 20 years of experience in the private and public sectors, was appointed as director of Long Beach Airport in February 2009. His current responsibilities include airport operations, finances and leases, the airport noise ordinance, community outreach, and environmental matters. The airport maintains a staff of approximately 125 and an annual operating budget of approximately $28 million.

Prior to coming to Long Beach Airport, Mr. Rodriguez was deputy director at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, where he was responsible for a staff of 186 and a $25 million annual operating budget. In addition, he oversaw the airport’s sound insulation, land acquisition programs, and all aircraft noise monitoring activity.

Mr. Rodriguez’s leadership enabled the rapid recovery of Armstrong International Airport after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Two years later, he was recognized for his expertise in environmental management and awarded the prestigious Environmental Achievement Award from Airport Council International.

Prior to his position at Armstrong International, Mr. Rodriguez was tasked with the planning and execution of the capital improvements program of Palm Beach County’s Department of Airports.  The department operates Palm Beach International Airport, two large general aviation (GA) airports, and one small training GA airport.

In the private sector Mr. Rodriguez has worked for several multinational consulting firms and was associated with the execution of airport master plans, the design of airside and landside facilities, and construction administration. Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach International Airports are among some of the airports that he has served.

Mr. Rodriguez earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from University of Miami in 1987. He sits on several boards and is an accomplished author and speaker on issues affecting the aviation industry, including business recovery and disaster management.

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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., through the Worldwide Campus at more than 150 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and the Middle East, and through online learning. For more information, visit www.embryriddle.edu.

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