OREANDA-NEWS. Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) Director Emilio T. Gonzalez convened the first-ever MDAD Leadership Summit, a gathering of the Department's senior leaders aimed at charting a clear path forward for the County's system of airports and its 1,200 employees.

The event included a presentation of MDAD's strategic framework, which encompasses major goals and objectives over the next decade and a commitment to bringing innovation and technology to Miami International Airport and its general aviation airports. The summit also featured perspectives on current air travel issues from industry leaders and outside experts.

Gonzalez opened the meeting by laying out his vision for MIA, sharing his tenets of leadership and introducing the broad themes for the day. MDAD Chief of Staff Joe Napoli followed with an overview of the strategic framework.

Additionally, MDAD Chief Financial Officer Anne Syrcle Lee unveiled the Department's preliminary 2016 budget, giving airport leadership a valuable early forecast of its financial landscape. Eduardo Angeles, Associate Administrator for Airports at the Federal Aviation Administration, traveled from Washington, D.C. to deliver the summit's keynote address, focusing his remarks on the state of the U.S. aviation system. Additionally, Dr. Aileen Marty, professor of infectious diseases at FIU's Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, briefed MDAD's management team on the current threat of Ebola and other communicable diseases.

"MIA and our general aviation airports are thriving, but there's always more that we can do - and must do - to meet the expectations of our passengers and businesses partners," said Gonzalez. "Innovation, communication and clear-eyed planning will be vital as we forge ahead, and our leadership team will be even more critical, given that they will be charged with executing our long-term goals and driving innovation throughout our organization. This summit was a productive way to frame our future plans and rally the team for what's to come."