Dozens of people gathered at the Museum of Fine Arts on Tuesday night to officially welcome Mario Diaz, the newly named Director of Aviation for the Houston Airport System.
(Or, in the words of the fun invitation, it was an event “introducing the new captain of your in-flight crew)
Diaz, who last held the number two job at Hartfield – Jackson Atlanta International Airport, mingled with community and political leaders, including special guest Mayor Annise Parker.
He hit the ground running back in June, but this was his first opportunity to gather with some of the city’s top movers and shakers under one roof.
Speaking briefly during the reception, Diaz says he has ambitious plans to make Houston’s two major airports more competitive with airports across the country, He’s determined to increase revenue by attracting more business and traffic from around the world, including desirable destinations like China.
The welcome celebration was sponsored by several local companies including The Clifford Group, Continental Airlines, Fulbright & Jaworski and Klotz Associates.
Faces in the crowd included: Cindy Clifford, engineer Wayne Klotz, Jason Fuller (Regional Director for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison) , attorney Felix Chavalier, METRO’s Russ Frank and Raequel Roberts, publisher Francis Page, former City Attorney Anthony Hall and State Representative Carol Alvarado.
Mary Benton Media 
