Board of Directors

MDX's 13-member board of directors has a broad cross-section of transportation, business and professional expertise, as well as civic, environmental, county and state interest commitment.

Of the 13 members, 12 are non-paid local business and civic leaders. The 13th member is the Florida Department of Transportation District Six Secretary, who serves as an ex-officio MDX board member. Of the 12 volunteers, Florida's Governor appoints five and the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners appoints the remaining seven members. The current board members are featured below.


Maurice A. Ferré
MDX Chair
Business Consultant Office of Maurice A. Ferré

Shelly Smith Fano
MDX Vice Chair
Director, Hospitality Management Program International Hospitality Center, Miami Dade College

Gonzalo Sanabria
MDX Treasurer
Senior Vice President of Coldwell Banker Commercial

Gus Pego, P.E.
District Six Secretary
Florida Department of Transportation

Carlos R. Fernandez- Guzman
President & Chief Executive Officer, Pacific National Bank

Alfredo L. Gonzalez
Genovese Joblove & Battista, P.A.

Maritza Gutiérrez
President, Creative Ideas Advertising, Inc.

Jose M. Hevia
President,
Aligned Properties

Robert W. Holland, Esq.
Law Office of Robert W. Holland

Felix Lasarte, Esq.
The Lasarte Law Firm

Louis V. Martinez, Esq.
Louis V. Martinez, P.A.

Rick Rodriguez Pina
Rodriguez Pina & Associates

Norman Wartman
Committee Member, Miami-Dade County Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee

The MDX Staff

MDX operates in Miami-Dade County with a staff of approximately 46 professionals who are committed to making your commute safer and more efficient. The agency is headed by Executive Director, Javier Rodriguez, P.E.


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Felix Lasarte, Esq.
The Lasarte Law Firm

Mr. Lasarte opened The Lasarte Law Firm, which specializes in real estate law, with a concentration on land use and zoning. He has represented national, commercial and residential developers and was formerly a partner with Holland and Knight, L.L.P. In addition, the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners appointed him as the business representative for the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) board. He earned his undergraduate degree from Florida International University and graduated with honors from St. Thomas University School of Law.

Appointment By: Board of County Commissioners

Appointment Date: 02/19/08

Term Expiration:     02/07/16

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Louis V. Martinez, Esq.
Louis V. Martinez, P.A.

Louis V. Martinez, founder of Louis V. Martinez, P.A., specializes in criminal and healthcare law matters with an emphasis on white-collar crimes. His previous position was with the Florida's Attorney General as the Deputy Chief Assistant Attorney General for the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Mr. Martinez is a member of The Florida Bar, Cuban-American Bar Association and Illinois Bar. He earned his undergraduate degree from Loyola University and graduated from DePaul University College of Law.

Appointment By: Board of County Commissioners

Appointment Date: 02/19/08

Term Expiration:     02/07/16

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Jorge Vigil, Esq.
MDX Treasurer
Law Firm of Rasco, Reininger, Perez, Esquenazi & Vigil, P.L.

Jorge M. Vigil is a member and principal of the firm Rasco, Reininger, Perez, Esquenazi & Vigil, P.L., and member of The Florida Bar. He practices in the areas of complex real estate transactions, partnerships and joint ventures and domestic and international banking transactions. His past accomplishments include serving on the board of directors of the Latin Builder's Association and the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Vigil earned his bachelor's degree from Duke University and his Juris Doctor from New York University.

Appointment By: Governor of Florida

Appointment Date: 05/11/06

Term Expiration:     02/07/10

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Gus Pego, P.E.
District Six Secretary
Florida Department of Transportation

As District Six Secretary, Mr. Pego is responsible for the overall planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance of the State Highway System in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. A seasoned civil servant of 30 years with the Department of Transportation, he has served the community working through the ranks in positions of increasing levels of responsibility within the district's development and operations divisions. He currently serves as a board member of the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Engineering Advisory Boards of both the University of Miami and Florida International University. Mr. Pego earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Florida.

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Maurice A. Ferré
MDX Chair
Business Consultant
Office of Maurice A. Ferré

Mr. Ferré has mostly held electoral positions throughout his public career, most notably his 12 years of service as Mayor of the City of Miami (1973 - 1985). He has also served in the Florida House of Representatives, as a City Commissioner of Miami and as Vice Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners (1994 - 1995). In addition to public positions, he has served as president and director of corporations in Miami, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Panama. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Inter-American Dialogue. Mr. Ferré earned his bachelor's degree in architectural engineering and master of business administration at the University of Miami.

Appointment By: Board of County Commissioners

Appointment Date: 03/15/05

Term Expiration:     02/07/17

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Maritza Gutiérrez
President, Creative Ideas Advertising, Inc.

Ms. Gutiérrez founded Creative Ideas Advertising in 1983, a full service minority-owned advertising agency in South Florida. She has extensive experience in every aspect of the communications field, including writing, producing, directing, and all forms of advertising campaigns, promotions and business development. In addition, she is the creator of a line of dolls named Maru and Friends and is a published author of children's books. Ms. Gutiérrez's civic and community involvement includes serving as Vice Chair of the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization, being a member of the Destination Florida Commission and an emeritus member of the Community Partnership for the Homeless Center.

Appointment By: Board of County Commissioners

Appointment Date: 03/15/05

Term Expiration:     02/07/17

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Jose M. Hevia
President, Aligned Properties

Jose M. Hevia is currently the President of Aligned Properties. Prior to joining Aligned Properties, Mr. Hevia was with the Flagler Development Company for more than 20 years and in 2008 was named President and Chief Executive Officer. He is a registered architect and licensed general contractor in Florida, a licensed general civil contractor in Miami-Dade County and a Member of the American Institute of Architects. Mr. Hevia received a bachelor's degree from the University of Miami, with graduate work in urban planning at the University of Venice in Italy.

Appointment By: Governor of Florida

Appointment Date: 12/22/11

Term Expiration:     04/06/14

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Carlos R. Fernandez-Guzman
President & Chief Executive Officer, Pacific National Bank

Carlos R. Fernandez-Guzman is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific National Bank. Prior to joining Pacific National Bank in 2010, Mr. Fernandez-Guzman was a Senior Executive Vice President with BankUnited F.S.B. Mr. Fernandez-Guzman also served as co-chairman of the Graduate Finance Program and has been a member of the Dean's Council at Florida International University. In addition, Mr. Fernandez-Guzman has been a member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce for 29 years, and was the Chairman of the Board from 2008-2009. Mr. Fernandez-Guzman graduated from Miami-Dade College, attended Florida International University and completed the graduate program at the Louisiana State University of Banking School of the South.

Appointment By: Governor of Florida

Appointment Date: 12/22/11

Term Expiration:     04/06/14

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Robert W. Holland, Esq.
Law Office of Robert W. Holland

Mr. Holland, founder of The Law Office of Robert W. Holland, specializes in government relations, land use, real estate, contracts and family law. During his career, he served as Chief of Staff for the office of Commissioner Betty Ferguson and as policy advisor for the office of U.S. Representative Carrie Meek. His professional and community affiliations include participations with The Florida Bar, Metro Miami Action Plan, NAACP and the Dade County Bar Association, to name a few. Mr. Holland earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Morehouse College and law degree from the University of Miami.

Appointment By: Board of County Commissioners

Appointment Date: 03/15/05

Term Expiration:     02/07/17

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Nick A. Inamdar
Vice President, The Gatehouse Group

Nick A. Inamdar is responsible for the location, underwriting and financing of multifamily housing sites in Florida, and maintains oversight of the governmental affairs of the company. The Gatehouse Group is an industry leader in the acquisition, development, marketing and management of apartment communities throughout the United States. Mr. Inamdar is an advocate for affordable housing issues and is involved with the Legislative Committee of the statewide Coalition of Affordable Housing Providers. Prior to joining The Gatehouse Group, Mr. Inamdar was a consultant for federal, state, county and municipal elected officials and candidates. Mr. Inamdar graduated from The Florida State University.

Appointment By: Governor of Florida

Appointment Date: 01/02/08

Term Expiration:     02/07/10

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Alfredo L. Gonzalez
Partner at Genovese Joblove & Battista

Mr. Gonzalez is currently a partner at Genovese Joblove & Battista, P.A., with over 30 years of experience in real estate, international transactions, land use, governmental, healthcare, environmental and aviation law. Previously, Mr. Gonzalez was previously the chief executive officer of Yoss LLP and past head of the real estate and governmental practice groups. Mr. Gonzalez is also a certified Supreme Court circuit court mediator and a licensed real estate broker. He is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Florida Bar Association, the Dade County Bar Association, the Cuban American Bar Association, and the University of Florida Hispanic Alumni Association. Mr. Gonzalez is also a trustee to the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Gonzalez received his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1978 and earned his Bachelor of Arts, with a concentration in accounting, from the University of Miami in 1975.

Appointment By: Board of County Commissioners

Appointment Date: 01/23/13

Term Expiration: 02/07/17

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Gonzalo Sanabria
MDX Treasurer
Senior Vice President of Coldwell Banker Commercial

Gonzalo Sanabria is a Senior Vice President of commercial real estate for Coldwell Banker Commercial, NRT. In addition, Mr. Sanabria is the current chairman of the Doctors Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and assistant treasurer of the Baptist Health Foundation Executive Committee. He has also been involved with the Beacon Council as Honorary Chairman of the Small Business Council and also a former trustee member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. He earned his undergraduate degree in economics from Windham College in Vermont.

Appointment By: Governor of Florida

Appointment Date: 03/15/05

Term Expiration:     02/07/13

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Shelly Smith Fano
MDX Vice Chair
Director, Hospitality Management Program International Hospitality Center, Miami Dade College

Ms. Smith Fano is the director of Miami Dade College, college wide Hospitality Management Program, and the inner city Hospitality Institute. She has taught and worked with high school and college students with learning challenges, developing specific curriculum for their individual needs in addition to developing specialized culinary programs for employment opportunities for minorities and the underrepresented. Fano serves on the board of Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, Black Hospitality Initiative and is very active in a myriad of civic and industry programs. She is a Marano Fellow with the Aspen Institute Sector Skills Academy. She holds a bachelorbs degree in Modern Languages, a masterbs degree in hospitality management from Florida International University, and is pursuing a Doctorate in organizational leadership at Northcentral University.

Appointment By: Governor of Florida

Appointment Date: 04/07/08

Term Expiration:    04/06/16

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Rick Rodriguez Pina
Founder/President of Rodriguez Pina & Associates

Mr. Rodriguez Pina is currently the founder/president of Rodriguez Pina & Associates. Prior to opening Rodriguez Pina & Associates in 1995, Mr. Rodriguez Pina was the manager of business expansion and retention at the Beacon Council in Miami-Dade. Mr. Rodriguez Pina also served as the policy and program director for the Florida Department of Commerce and as a governmental liaison at the United Way of Dade County. Mr. Rodriguez Pina received a bachelor's degree from Florida State University.

Appointment By: Board of County Commissioners

Appointment Date: 01/23/13

Term Expiration: 02/07/17

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Norman Wartman
Committee Member, Miami-Dade County Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee

Mr. Wartman is the immediate past Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC). He has been an active member of CTAC for over 22 years and currently is the chairman of the surface transportation subcommittee. Mr. Wartman is committed to ensure that proposed transportation projects are responsive to the community's needs and goals. He was a member of the original MDX board and has lived in South Florida for over 44 years. He attended Florida International University where he wrote a master's thesis on traffic and transportation.

Appointment By: Governor of Florida

Appointment Date: 03/18/08

Term Expiration:     04/06/13

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Javier Rodriguez, P.E.
MDX Executive Director

Javier Rodriguez was selected by the Board of the Miami Dade Expressway Authority to serve as its second executive director and formally took over as of March 2, 2007. His primary duties are to oversee all aspects of MDX's Twenty-Year Master Transportation Plan, with its current $503 million five-year work program. MDX's overriding objective is to serve as an innovative transportation agency dedicated to enhancing mobility in Miami-Dade County.

Mr. Rodriguez's responsibilities encompass the operation and maintenance of the existing toll road system, its expansion and financing. This includes long-range planning, design, right-of-way acquisition, construction, purchasing and contracting, and enhancing relations with its partners: the State of Florida, the Department of Transportation, Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, Miami-Dade County, Metropolitan Planning Organization, state and local agencies and municipalities.

Prior to joining MDX, Mr. Rodriguez worked with the Florida Department of Transportation, District Six (FDOT) for 16 years, including four years as Director of Transportation Development. While holding this position, Mr. Rodriguez supervised various projects to be implemented with future Public-Private Partnerships such as the Port of Miami Tunnel. In addition, he was responsible for the delivery of production and public transportation projects such as the interchanges on SR 826 Palmetto Expressway, Miami International Airport and the Miami Intermodal Center.

A native Floridian, Mr. Rodriguez earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Florida International University in 1990 and received his Professional Certification from the State of Florida. He received the Engineer of the Year Award by the Cuban-American Association of Civil Engineers in 2005 and was presented with the Ben G. Watts Leadership Award by FDOT, in 2002, Mr. Rodriguez resides in Miami with his wife Katharine and two daughters Katharine Ann and Isabella.

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Steve Andruik
Deputy Executive Director/ Director of Toll Operations

Stephan P. Andriuk, recently appointed as the Deputy Executive Director, has served as Director of Toll Operations of the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX) since the inception of this position in March 2003. His responsibilities encompass management and oversight all aspects of Toll Operations and provide liaison between the Toll Operations and MDX staff on highway maintenance and operations, design and construction of toll plaza capital improvements, audit of toll revenue, information technology systems and public communications. Mr. Andriuk's additional responsibilities include long range planning, design, construction and integration of new toll plazas and equipment, ITS, and as a direct advisor to the Executive Director on innovative technologies in the Tolling industry. As the Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Andriuk supports the Executive Director on matters pertaining to the overall day to day operation of MDX and assists him in executing the directives of the Authority.

Previously, Mr. Andriuk was the Administrator of the renowned Chesapeake Expressway in Chesapeake, Virginia. While holding this position, Mr. Andriuk led the final testing of the new toll system, hired a staff of 35+ personnel to conduct the accounting, auditing, human resources, maintenance and toll operations, and trained the entire staff to become a functioning unit in less than two months. Mr. Andriuk's 10+ years of toll experience began with the Virginia Department of Transportation, where he was a Toll Supervisor with the Dulles Toll Road in Northern Virginia and the Assistant Resident Engineer with the Powhite Parkway Extension in Richmond, Virginia. His tenure in Virginia included progressive oversight of four different toll projects involving procurement, installation, testing, and integration. Mr. Andriuk served as the Chairperson of the Virginia Toll Facilities Group where he spearheaded the revision of various State Statutes on violation enforcement, allowing the toll facilities the ability to collect fines and tolls from toll violators.

Mr. Andriuk is a recent retiree of the Virginia Army National Guard with over 21 years of service. Prior to his retirement in March of 2004, Mr. Andriuk was the Chief Instructor and Battalion Operations Sergeant at Virginia's Regional Training Institute, where he oversaw the training of 250 soldiers a year in the Army's Noncommissioned Officer's Education System.

Mr. Andriuk has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from George Mason University, with extended course work in Accounting, Marketing and Organizational Management. He resides in South Florida with his wife Sue, son Tyler and Daughter Erica.

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Alfred Lurigados, P.E.
Director of Engineering

Alfred Lurigados, P.E., is responsible for the MDX Five-Year Work Program and management of planning, design and construction projects. Prior to accepting this position, Mr. Lurigados served as Program Manager of Production at MDX where he oversaw the coordination of individual projects with respect to design, budgets and their impacts on the Five-Year work program. Prior to joining MDX, he had experience working with engineering and construction companies in Miami for the Florida Department of Transportation as well as MDX. He has worked in the development of concepts for MDX's toll roads, value pricing concepts as well as the master plan for the SR 836 Extension projects. He has also worked as the FDOT District 6 drainage consultant.

Mr. Lurigados currently oversees MDX's Five-Year work program estimated at over $500 Million. This work includes the completion of the SR 836 Extension projects, implementation of high-speed tolling system-wide, construction of the SR 874 projects and a master plan for implementation of Open Road Tolling (ORT). Many other design projects and construction projects are also under his management, such as the SR 836 eastbound auxiliary lane and the Dolphin Expressway and Palmetto Interchange together with FDOT District 6. Since 2004, over $350 Million in improvements system-wide have been completed under his direction.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Florida International University (FIU) and also sits on the Engineering Advisory Committee for Miami-Dade College, the Engineering Industry Advisory Council for FIU and is currently the Vice-Chair for the Transportation Planning Technical Advisory Committee (TPTAC) for the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).

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Pam Leslie
General Counsel

Pamela S. Leslie, Esq., as General Counsel for MDX, is responsible for all legal matters related to MDX activities and the MDX System. She counsel to MDX management and also represents the MDX Board and its individual Members in their official capacities.

Ms. Leslie joined the MDX staff in October of 2008, immediately prior to which she served as counsel to the Florida Supreme Court, Office of the State Courts Administrator. From 1990 through 2007, she represented the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in several capacities and served for more than a decade under four Secretaries of Transportation as FDOT General Counsel.

Ms. Leslie earned her undergraduate and law degrees from Florida State University where she was an editor for the Law Review. She serves on a variety of national transportation law related committees including the Tort and Risk Management Committee for the Transportation Research Boardbo?=s Legal Resources Group, the National Cooperative Highway Research Program under the auspices of the National Academies, and is active in the International Bridge, Tunnel, and Toll Association (IBTTA). Ms. Leslie was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1983.

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Marie T. Schafer
CPA

Ms. Schafer assumed the role of the Authority's Director of Finance/Chief Financial Officer beginning June, 2005 and reports directly to the Executive Director. Ms. Schafer is responsible for the overall financial related activities including financial reporting, budgeting, debt administration, cash management and management of financial information systems. In addition to financial related duties, the Chief Financial Officer is also responsible for managing the day to day operational functions and developing policies/procedures of the Authority as directed by the Executive Director.

Ms. Schafer has over 15 years of experience in the accounting profession from the public, private and government sector. Ms. Schafer is a licensed CPA in the State of Florida and is a member of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Government Finance Officers Association. Ms. Schafer holds a Bachelor degree in Accounting from Florida International University and a Masters degree in Accounting from Saint Thomas Archdiocese University.