Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava 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 following a search.
Ralph 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, the Office of Capital Improvements, and the 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.
Ralph holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Florida International University.